Two Teams Chasing Wildcard Berths Meet Wednesday
A pair of teams battling for a berth in the postseason meet in the Big Apple on Wednesday when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the New York Mets. The current line has St. Louis favored at -133, with New York at +123 and the over/under run total sitting on 8.
Entering this game, St. Louis on the season is 53-47 overall and 28-17 on the road. The Cardinals are 6-4 over their last 10 games played. New York on the season is 53-46 overall and 27-21 on the road. The Mets are 5-5 over their past 10 games played.
Both teams are battling to win a title in their respective divisions or grab one of the two National League wildcard berths. On Tuesday, the two split a doubleheader with the rubber match of this series being played Wednesday.
New York scored 5 runs during the doubleheader that included a victory of 3-1 in the second game. The Mets are having problems with offense as Neil Walker has started to slump and David Wright is out injured. Last season, the Mets picked up Yoenis Cespedes to add to their lineup in late July.
St. Louis has not showed much interest in adding to its lineup or pitching staff prior to the Monday trade deadline. However, they could use help in their bullpen.
Both the Cardinals and Mets trail Miami for the second available wildcard spot. Both teams would not reach the postseason if the regular season ended today.
St. Louis will send Adam Wainwright to the mound on Wednesday. The Cardinals right-hander is 9-5 with an ERA of 4.09. New York will counter with Logan Verrett. The Mets right-hander is 3-6 with an ERA of 4.14.
Wainwright, once again looks like the pitching ace of the Cardinals staff following four consecutive strong outings. He allowed just 3 runs in 29 innings with 27 strikeouts over those four games, but had just one decision in the four games.
This is Verrett’s fourth start after rejoining the Mets rotation but has not won since late April. This is the first time Verrett has pitched against the Cardinals in his career.
St. Louis put right-hander Trevor Rosenthal on the disabled list due to a shoulder problem.
The Mets’ Walker has 2 hits in 39 at bats including 10 strikeouts over his past 11 games.
Jedd Gyorko the Cardinals second baseman has 7 home runs in his past 9 games, including two in yesterday’s doubleheader.
Prediction: St. Louis with Wainwright on the mound will prove too much for the weak offense of New York. Lean here toward the visitors.
