Mets vs Cardinals Pick: NY’s Holmes Is Settling in as a Starter (May 2)

• For our Mets vs Cardinals pick, we determine if Clay Holmes will continue his positive transition to starting for New York
• The Cardinals start veteran righty Sonny Gray
• New York is in 1st place in the NL East despite losing 2 straight to the Diamondbacks
• St. Louis just split a 4-game set with the Reds

Clay Holmes’ Transition to the Rotation Has Been Smooth

There was concern when the Mets signed veteran reliever Clay Holmes away from the Yankees, intending to move him into the starting rotation. The righty had made four career MLB starts before this season. All were as a Pirates rookie in 2018.

The move to the rotation has gone better than expected. He has started 6 games, has a 2.64 ERA, has surrendered 26 hits in 30.2 innings, walked 13, and struck out 36. He has yet to give up a home run.

Against Holmes, the Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado is 2 for 4 with 2 singles. Willson Contreras is 3 for 8, all singles. And Brendan Donovan is 1 for 3 with a double.

Juan Soto’s numbers are acceptable for the average player, but he is not the average player. He homered twice in Thursday’s loss to the Diamondbacks; a hot streak could be on the way. Pete Alonso has a 1.124 OPS and 7 home runs. Jeff McNeil has been hitting well since his return from an oblique injury, batting .316 in 19 at-bats.

Cards Send Ace Sonny Gray to the Hill

As the Cardinals take a step back in 2025 and plan for the future, these games are important for veteran starter Sonny Gray. He might be appealing trade bait for a big return at the deadline.

In 6 starts, Gray is 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA. He has allowed 28 hits in 35 innings and struck out 33. His lone poor start was his first of the season against the Angels when he gave up 5 runs in 6 innings, though he did strike out 9.

Against Gray, the Mets’ Alonso is 2 for 8 with a home run. Francisco Lindor is 7 for 27 with 3 homers. Starling Marte is 3 for 12 with a homer. Soto is batting .500 in 10 at-bats with a home run. And Tyrone Taylor is 3 for 11 and has a home run.

The Cards’ Donovan has slowed down after his blistering start, but is still batting .333. Masyn Winn is playing better after an abysmal first two weeks and is now up to .247 with 3 homers. Jordan Walker, Contreras, and Nolan Gorman continue to struggle.

Mets vs Cardinals Pick: Holmes Will Keep Hot Run Going

The Mets hit Gray very well, and Holmes has been better than they could have ever imagined when they signed him to start. New York will rebound from its two losses to the Diamondbacks and win the opener of their 3-game series in St. Louis.