The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets are set to face off in Game 3 of their four-game series at Citi Field in Queens, New York, on April 19, 2025, at 4:05 p.m. ET. The Mets have dominated the series so far, winning the first two games, including a 5-4 walk-off victory on April 18, courtesy of Francisco Lindor’s clutch home run.
Team Overview & Season Performance
New York Mets (13-7, No. 2 in NL East)
- The Mets have been strong at home, boasting a 7-1 record at Citi Field.
- Kodai Senga (2-1, 1.06 ERA) will take the mound, coming off a seven-inning shutout performance against Oakland.
- Pete Alonso has been a key offensive force, hitting five doubles, a triple, and two home runs in his last ten games.
- New York’s pitching staff has been dominant, ranking 15th in MLB in slugging percentage (.388).
St. Louis Cardinals (9-11, No. 4 in NL Central)
- The Cardinals are struggling on the road, holding a 1-7 away record.
- Matthew Liberatore (1-1, 3.93 ERA) will start for St. Louis, looking to build off his six shutout innings against the Phillies.
- Brendan Donovan has been a bright spot, leading the team with a .380 batting average and 30 hits.
- St. Louis ranks seventh in MLB in slugging percentage (.416) and fifth in total runs scored (99).
Key Matchups & X-Factors
Kodai Senga vs. Cardinals’ Offense
- Senga has been dominant, averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
- The Cardinals have struggled against elite pitching, striking out 26 times in the first two games of the series.
- If Senga continues his form, New York will have a strong chance to secure another win.
Matthew Liberatore vs. Mets’ Power Hitters
- Liberatore has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled against the Mets in the past, allowing five earned runs in four innings in 2023.
- The Mets have been aggressive early, scoring five runs in the first two innings of their last game.
- If Liberatore can handle the pressure, St. Louis could keep the game competitive.
Bullpen Battle
- The Mets’ bullpen has been solid, with closer Edwin Díaz securing multiple saves this season.
- St. Louis’ relievers need to step up after allowing late-game runs in both losses.
- If the Cardinals’ bullpen remains shaky, the Mets could capitalize again.
Game Odds
St. louis Cardinals 8.5
New York Mets – 175
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 18, 2025
