With Max Scherzer on the mound, New York will get back to their winning ways 

Cardinals at Mets 

Citi Field – Queens, NY 

7:10 PM ET 

New York -200 

Game three of the series between the Mets and Cardinals is one of the best on MLB’s Wednesday night docket. It features two teams with 20 wins, both of whom have postseason aspirations. It’s must-see TV tonight in Queens. 

Both teams are scuffling a bit, however. New York is just 5-5 in its last ten games, including a 4-3 loss last night to the Cardinals. Meanwhile, St. Louis is only 4-6 in its last ten, as it tries to get on track in the National League Central. 

When it comes to breaking out of their respective slumps, however, the Mets have a distinct advantage. They’re sending their ace to the mound tonight. 

Max Scherzer is 4-1 on the season, boasting a 2.66 ERA. He’s struck out 55 batters and has a WHIP of just 0.91. 

Meanwhile, the Cards counter with Jordan Hicks. The righthander is 1-3 and has an ERA of 4.15. In his last three outings, he’s surrendered seven runs in 12.2 innings of collective work. 

That disparity is hard to ignore. It’s the difference when the two teams are otherwise evenly matched. 

New York is hitting .248 as a team this season, scoring 166 runs and belting 31 home runs. St. Louis has virtually the same numbers, hitting .246 with 162 runs and 33 dingers. 

Pete Alonso (eight home runs) and Jeff McNeil (.312 batting average) power the Mets attack. Nolan Arenado (eight) and Pete Goldschmidt (.321) lead the Cardinals. 

It’s all about the starting pitcher. It’s all about Scherzer. He’s there to end slumps for the Mets. That’s what an ace is supposed to do. And he’ll get the job done tonight. 

Richard DeMala’s pick: New York M/L (-200) 

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Wednesday’s MLB Quick Picks 

San Francisco M/L (-160) 

Cleveland M/L (-130) 

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Tuesday’s MLB Winners 

Houston M/L (+105) 

San Francisco M/L (-152)