Adam Wainwright (9-7, 4.71 ERA) and Seth Lugo (0-2, 3.04 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals (67-58) and the New York Mets (63-63) at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won the last game 8-1, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 7:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 25 and can be seen on FSMW and SNY.
Wainwright pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out five and walking two in a 4-3 win over the Phillies. Brandon Moss (.265, 54 Rs, 23 HRs, 57 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run. Lugo went 6.2 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out three and walking one in an 8-1 defeat to the Giants in his most recent start. Jay Bruce (.248, 65 Rs, 27 HRs, 86 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 1 yesterday.
St. Louis is a -175 favorite against New York and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Cardinals have an overall money line of -132 and a record as the favorite of 45-38. The Cardinals are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with 177. Crossing over to the pitching staff, the Cardinals are the second-best team in the NL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 2.7 walks per game to their opponents this season.
In games where it is the underdog, New York has a 17-24 record and an overall money line of -1,344. Offensively, the Mets have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.8 runs per game by averaging 5.2 during that stretch. The Mets allow 3.9 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 5.8 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks on the road, the Mets have the fewest in the NL with only 2.5 walks allowed per game.
The Cardinals lead the season series, 3-2. The Cardinals have a 49-37 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Lugo takes the mound. Wainwright (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mets, who have a 47-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL, O/U – Over
Notes
The Cardinals are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded five strikeouts. The Mets have a record of 11-13 when opponents’ pitchers have five strikeouts or less.
When they are outhit, the Cardinals are 14-51. The Mets have an 18-48 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking eighth in home runs, New York has hit 164 this season. St. Louis ranks third with 177 home runs.
Ranking 14th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.03 per game. St. Louis ranks in the top five with 8.84.
Ranking 23rd, New York is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.716). St. Louis ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .781.
The Mets are 28-46 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Cardinals are 35-38 when they allow at least one homer.
