7* NY Mets (1:10 ET): The Mets are trying to avoid what would only be a second series loss in 2022 as they host the Cardinals in the finale of a four-game set on Thursday afternoon. After the teams split a doubleheader on Tuesday, the NL East leaders romped to an 11-4 victory in last night’s game. The only previous series the Mets did not win was the last one where they dropped two of three here at home to the Mariners. That should be fresh on the players’ minds this afternoon as they look to continue this excellent start to the season. The Mets are 25-14 and were 10-0-1 in the first 11 series. I think they get it done today.

Things were looking great for the Mets most of the way last night as they held a 6-2 lead going into the sixth inning. But then Max Scherzer left with an injury and the Cardinals were able to cut that four-run deficit in half. But the Mets, as they’ve often done this season, poured it on in the late innings, scoring five times in the bottom of the eighth. With the quick turnaround between games, I think it’s harder for the team that lost the previous day. The Mets have won all four Thursday games this season.

Chris Bassitt gets the baseball for the home side and he’s been outstanding thus far, delivering a 2.34 ERA and 1.016 WHIP in seven starts. Back on April 26th, Bassitt tossed six shutout innings of two-hit ball against these Cardinals. He’s allowed 1 or 0 ER five times. Opposing hitters just aren’t making much contact off Bassitt and when they do, the balls aren’t being hit hard. As for Dakota Hudson, who starts for the Cards today, his expected ERA is more than two full runs higher than his actual ERA (3.06) so expect some regression there. Hudson also has a 1.723 WHIP his L3 starts as he’s walked a total of eight batters, which is more than he’s struck out. The Mets are the better team here and have the pitching edge at home. 7* NY Mets