Free MLB Picks Today: New York Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals 6/18/23

Hot-hitting Jordan Walker will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the St. Louis Cardinals (28-43) match up against the New York Mets (33-37) at Citi Field on Sunday with the three-game series tied at 1-1.

The Cardinals evened up the series 1-1 after winning 5-3 on Saturday. Starter Adam Wainwright got the win, giving up three runs on seven hits over 6.1 innings, and Jordan Hicks struck out the side in the ninth for his first save of the season.

Paul Goldschmidt was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Walker added a solo home run. Luis Guillorme went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double for the Mets. He had two RBIs.

ON THE MOUND

Matthew Liberatore (1-2, 5.14 ERA) is in line for the start for St. Louis. The LHP allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Giants on Monday.

He scattered seven hits while striking out five and walking two in the no-decision. For New York, right-hander Carlos Carrasco (2-3, 5.71 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals.

Carrasco made one start against the Cardinals in 2022, throwing 3.2 innings in a 10-5 road defeat on April 27. He gave up nine hits and walked two while striking out three in the loss.

In his last start on June 11, Carrasco took the loss on the road against the Pirates. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out one and walking three in the 2-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged only 3.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.5, while performing worse across the board (.225/.272/.358). Against righties like Carrasco this season, the Cards have a .748 OPS, the highest in MLB.

Goldschmidt is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .896 OPS in 197 at-bats. New York is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.4 for the season.

The Mets have a .719 OPS against left-handers in 2023, the second-highest in the league. With a .888 OPS over 68 at-bats, Pete Alonso has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

St. Louis is 15-22 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. New York has gone 17-14 at Citi Field this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. St. Louis is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Citi Field with an average scoreline of 5.0-4.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Mets are fourth in the NL East, 10 games behind the Braves.