Cardinals vs Mets Pick: Mikolas Battles Peterson at Citi Field (Apr 18)

• Our Cardinals vs Mets pick gauges the second game of a 4-game series between past bitter rivals
• St. Louis starts veteran righty Miles Mikolas; New York counters with young lefty David Peterson
• A surprising source is carrying the Cards’ offense: Brendan Donovan
• The Mets’ superstar right fielder, Juan Soto, is trying to get his bat going at the elite levels MLB fans are accustomed to

Mikolas’ ERA Was Blown Up By One Terrible Start

Although Miles Mikolas’ ERA is an unsightly 9.00, he has pitched serviceably in two of his starts, accruing 10.1 innings and surrendering 5 earned runs. It was his second start of the season in Boston, in which the Red Sox hammered him to the tune of 11 hits and 8 earned runs in 2.2 innings.

The Mets have beaten up on Mikolas in the past. Francisco Lindor has a .412 batting average against him with a home run and 2 doubles. Juan Soto is 7 for 21 with a home run. Tyrone Taylor is 3 for 10 with a double and a home run. Jesse Winker has a .375 BA and 2 home runs.

Brendan Donovan is still destroying the ball for St. Louis. Nolan Arenado is off to a good start with an OPS of well over .800.

Mets’ Peterson Enjoying a Good Start

It’s been a slow process for Mets’ lefty David Peterson to consistently start fulfilling his potential. In 2024, he went 10-3 in 21 starts and got the save in the deciding game in the Mets’ Wild Card Series win over the Brewers.

In 2025, he is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He has pitched well in every start with the only blip being lasting 4.2 innings against the Blue Jays, but he was under the weather and still held the Jays to 1 run on 3 hits, albeit with 5 walks. The only Cards’ batter he has faced is Willson Contreras. He has held Contreras to 1 hit in 8 at-bats.

Except for Pete Alonso, the Mets’ hitters have been inconsistent at best. Alonso is leading the NL in slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+. He has amassed a 1.5 bWAR very early in the season and has clubbed 5 homers. Luisangel Acuña has been a sparkplug and Mark Vientos is starting to hit. It’s a matter of time before Soto starts mashing.

Cardinals vs Mets Pick: New York and St. Louis Will Score More Than 8 Runs

Mikolas has been terrible so far, and the Mets have pummelled him in the past. Although the easy pick is to take the Mets, the total is a safer choice. The teams will combine to score more than 8 runs.