Game Preview: Mets @ Cardinals

For the first time in team history the Mets have won the first six consecutive series to start a season. Today the Mets will go for their first sweep of the season as they finish their series with the Cardinals.

The series so far has had tremendous pitching from both sides as the Mets were able to cobble together three runs yesterday to beat the Cardinals 3-0. The third run was the most controversial – Starling Marte was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. It was the third time a Mets batter was hit by a pitch on the night and the 18th time this season. It also directly followed a scary moment when Alonso got plucked on the head…again.

Carlos Carrasco is on the mound today for the Mets, looking to keep the good times going. In three starts this season he has tossed 18 1/3 innings allowing three runs from nine hits and two walks while striking out 20 batters. He has a 1.47 ERA, 2.80 FIP, 0.600 WHIP and a 255 ERA+. His last start was tremendous as he pitched 7 2/3 innings allowing only two runs from four hits against a strong San Francisco Giants lineup. The Cardinals have the following career numbers against Carrasco:

Albert Pujols 1-11, BB, 2 K
Corey Dickerson 0-10, 4 K
Yadier Molina 2-5, K
Paul DeJong 0-3, 2 K
Tommy Edman 0-3, K
Paul Goldschmidt 2-3, 2B
Harrison Bader 0-2
Tyler O’Neill 0-2, K

The Mets will say good bye to the Cardinals today while saying hello to our old friend Steven Matz. Matz was linked to the Mets in rumors this off-season before he eventually signed with the Cardinals. He’s made three starts tossing 13.2 innings allowing eight runs from 19 hits and three walks while striking out 17. That puts his K/9 at 11.2 so far which is fairly above his career mark at 8.6. His season numbers though hide more of the story. In reality Matz just had a really bad first game of the season where he allowed seven runs in three innings to the Pirates. Since then he has allowed only one run over 10 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Matz: