Cardinals at Mets
Coming off the first no-hitter in franchise history, the host Mets go for their eighth win in 11 games when they take on the Cardinals in the second of a four-game series. Johan Santana ended the Mets’ streak of 8,019 games without a no-hitter in Friday’s 8-0 win. Now the slumping Cards, who have lost three straight, have to face red-hot knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. St. Louis will trot out Lance Lynn, whose eight wins are tied for the most in the majors.
Right fielder Lucas Duda is sparking New York's offense with three homers and seven RBIs in the last two games.
These teams split six games last year. They’ll play seven times this season, including a three-game set in St. Louis in September.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, WPIX, FS-M
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (8-1, 2.54 ERA) vs. Mets RH R.A. Dickey (7-1, 3.06 ERA)
Lynn is holding batters to a .211 average and owns a fine WHIP of 1.07. This is his first career start against the Mets. In his last outing against Atlanta, Lynn threw 71 of 107 pitches for strikes and held the Braves to two runs on five hits over seven innings.
Dickey is coming off consecutive double-digit strikeout performances for the first time in his career. He fanned 10 Padres and 11 Pirates in his last two outings. The knuckleballer has won five straight decisions, and has 61 strikeouts against just 17 walks. Dickey is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in five career appearances against the Cards.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Cards lefty Jaime Garcia is dealing with inflammation in his left elbow and is questionable to make his scheduled Tuesday start against Houston.
2. The status of Mets OF Mike Baxter is uncertain after he suffered a left shoulder injury Friday. Baxter, who is hitting .323 on the season, crashed into the outfield fence after making a catch to preserve Santana’s no-hitter.
3. Cards IF/OF Allen Craig went 0-for-4 in his return from a hamstring injury Friday.