Published Mar 29, 8:32pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 29, 8:32pm ET
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Updated Mar 29, 8:32pm ET
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| St. Louis Cardinals | +140 |
| New York Mets | -155 |
The Mets had a tough weekend against the Pirates. After an Opening Day pseudo-blowout, the teams traded extra-inning wins.
Now, New York sends veteran Clay Holmes to the hill against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
In 2025, Holmes got through his first season as a starter with a 12-8 record and a 2.0 bWAR. He allowed 150 hits in 165.2 innings, walking 66, and striking out 129. All in all, it was an effective campaign for him and the Mets. He did seem to run out of gas toward the end of the season, as expected.
For 2026, the Mets need him to provide a similar, though more consistent, full season.
At the plate, the Mets' Luis Robert has gotten off to a searing start, batting .455 with a 1.298 ERA, and a walk-off homer against the Pirates on Saturday. Juan Soto is batting .357. Francisco Alvarez is at .333 with a homer.
Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, and Marcus Semien are all off to slow starts.
The Mets have limited experience against Kyle Leahy. Robert is 1 for 3 with a home run. Mark Vientos is 1 for 2 with a homer.
Kyle Leahy was an effective reliever in his first two full seasons in the majors. Now, at 28, he is being moved to the starting rotation.
In 2025, he posted a 1.6 bWAR in 61 relief appearances and 1 start. He threw 88 innings, allowed 80 hits, walked 28, and struck out 80. He'd been a starter in the minors with less-than-mediocre results.
In spring training, he made 5 starts, pitched 17.2 innings, allowed 14 hits, 9 earned runs, walked 5, and struck out 20. He surrendered 3 home runs.
The Cards' Alec Burleson is batting .364 with a home run and 4 RBI in the first 3 games. Nolan Gorman is at .300 with a homer. Pedro Pages is batting .375 with a homer. Jordan Walker is at .400 with a homer and 2 doubles. Nathan Church is batting .375. Victor Scott is batting .500 in 10 at-bats.
Against Holmes, Burleson is batting .333 with a .666 OPS. Scott is batting .250 in 4 at-bats. Ramon Urias is hitting .250 in 12 at-bats. Masyn Winn is hitting .667 in 3 at-bats.
A 2025 converted starter in Holmes is facing a 2026 converted starter in Leahy. Both teams have dramatically different expectations this season with the Mets hoping for a World Series run and the Cardinals in a bridge year.
St. Louis had gotten off to a blazing start at the plate. The Mets have been up and down offensively after scoring heavily in the opener. Expect a close game and for the Cardinals to keep the score within 1 run.
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St. Louis Cardinals +1.5 (-130)
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