Mets at Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez has flourished since struggling out of the blocks in his Opening Day start against the New York Mets. After permitting five runs in that contest, Martinez has yielded a total of one over his last 27 1/3 innings heading into Thursday afternoon's rubber match of the three-game series at Busch Stadium.
Paul DeJong had two hits and scored twice during St. Louis' 9-1 romp on Wednesday to improve to 8-for-20 with two homers and six RBIs during his five-game hitting streak. The 24-year-old has flustered the Mets to the tune of going 7-for-19 with two homers this season while helping the Cardinals (14-9) to their ninth win in 11 outings overall. While St. Louis is heating up, New York (15-7) has cooled considerably with losses in six of its last 10 after a blistering-hot 11-1 start to the season. The Mets aim to improve to 6-0 when Noah Syndergaard takes the mound this season on Thursday, as the right-hander opposes Martinez in a rematch of the season opener.
TV: 1:15 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-0, 3.29 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (2-1, 1.42)
Syndergaard settled for his second straight no-decision on Friday after allowing three runs and striking out six in as many innings at Atlanta. The 25-year-old improved to 1-2 in his career versus St. Louis despite permitting four runs - including two homers - while fanning 10 in a 9-4 victory on March 29. Jose Martinez went deep in that outing and is 3-for-3 in his career versus Syndergaard, although the right-hander has handled Marcell Ozuna (3-for-17, six strikeouts) and Dexter Fowler (0-for-6, three strikeouts).
Martinez has scattered 15 hits and struck out 32 batters over his last four starts on the heels of issuing six walks over 4 1/3 innings in a 9-4 setback to the Mets on March 29. The 26-year-old Dominican was in line for his third win of the season on Saturday before the bullpen allowed Cincinnati to tie the game and spoil his three-hit effort over six innings. Yoenis Cespedes is 5-for-15 with a homer against Martinez, who owns a 3-3 mark with a 3.08 ERA in nine career appearances versus New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York 2B Asdrubal Cabrera is considered day-to-day after sitting out Wednesday's tilt with a tight right hamstring.
2. Cardinals CF Tommy Pham's availability for the finale is in question after he exited Wednesday's contest with a head injury sustained earlier in the day.
3. Mets LHP Jason Vargas, who has been on the disabled list with a broken bone in his non-throwing hand, is expected to make his season debut against San Diego on Saturday.