Game Preview: Cardinals vs Mets

The Mets had an opportunity last night to close the gap in the division race and the wild card race – and they couldn’t seize it.

The Mets lost in extra innings in a back and forth affair with the Cardinals. The Mets and Cardinals swapped the lead a few times and the Mets were able to navigate miscues that gave up the lead when they tied it in the 9th. After a silent 10th inning for both teams, the Cardinals scored three times in the 11th and the Mets only scored twice. With the Cardinals widening the gap in the Wild Card race, tonight’s game becomes a must win for the Amazin’s.

Tylor Megill gets the start tonight for the Mets. In 15 starts and 77.2 innings this year, Megill has a 4.06 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 1.197 WHIP and a 98 ERA+. He’s coming off of a strong start against the Yankees where he allowed two runs from four hits and a walk over 7.0 innings. It was the second time in three starts that Megill allowed two runs or less and his third time in his last five starts. This will be Megill’s first start against the Cardinals and has not faced anyone on their roster while they were with other teams.

The Mets are facing Jon Lester! A long time member of the Cubs, Lester signed with the Nationals this off-season and was traded as part of the fire sale at the end of July. This season he has made 24 starts and pitched 119.1 innings with a 4.75 ERA, 5.42 FIP, 1.542 WHIP and a 83 ERA+. He’s made eight starts with the Cardinals totaling 44.0 innings posting a 4.30 ERA, 5.41 FIP, 1.455 WHIP and a 90 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed only five runs over 23.2 innings from 17 hits and 10 walks, a 1.90 ERA. Lester has faced the Mets only once this season, allowing two runs from seven hits over 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him: