Mets send Syndergaard into bout with Cards
The Cardinals watched Sunday’s starter barely power through the first inning. Odds are astoundingly good that Carlos Martinez won’t receive the same sort of shellacking this evening.
St. Louis sends the red-hot righty to the hill for the opener of a three-game set vs. the Mets, with a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Citi Field. Handicappers at online sports book BetDSI lean toward the defending National League Central champions, whereas Mike Matheny’s club represents a +149 underdog. The over/under run total rests at seven.
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It was a painful big-league debut for Mike Mayers last night, as the 24-year-old recorded just four outs in the Redbirds’ 9-6 defeat to the Dodgers. Adrian Gonzalez belted a grand slam to spearhead the visitors’ efforts, while Howie Kendrick added a pair of base knocks and two RBIs. Despite a valiant rally in the late innings, the Cards ended their extended homestand with a 6-4 record.
The Big Apple now beckons, and the opposing hurler is a formidable one. Noah Syndergaard accepts the ball from Terry Collins for the second time since the All-Star break. Nearly a week ago, the flamethrower permitted but an unearned run across 5 2/3 frames during a 2-1 triumph over the Cubs. He holds a career mark of 12-4 with a 2.39 ERA in Flushing.
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Martinez, though, also enjoys traveling to the boroughs. Not only does the Dominican Republic native own a 0.57 ERA in five appearances against New York, he’s 3-1 with a 1.52 ERA in his past seven outings overall. If Martinez can stifle Michael Conforto (5-for-11 in the last five contests), we’re ostensibly looking at a tilt with limited fireworks.
Then again, Syndergaard has failed to work deep into many affairs of late. The Mets’ bullpen features some vulnerable pieces, too, before closer Jeurys Familia even gets his chance to check in. Between that factor and the knowledge that Matheny needed a staggering 20 2/3 frames from his relief corps in the Los Angeles series, ultimately opt for higher-scoring ways here.
MONDAY MLB FREE PICK: CARDINALS/METS OVER 7 RUNS