Cardinals vs. Mets Prediction and Odds for Monday, May 16 (Bet Under with Miles Mikolas on Mound)

A battle of two likely playoff teams goes down in Flushing, New York on Monday night.

The New York Mets will look to get back on track after losing their first series of the season over the weekend to the Seattle Mariners by welcoming in NL Central contender St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards continue to outperform expectations on the mound with starters like Monday's starter Miles Mikolas dominating early on, pitching to a 1.79 ERA.

The Mets sent Tylor Megill to the IL with bicep inflammation, so this one will operate as a bullpen game, with Trevor Williams drawing the start.

Here are the odds for the series opener with odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Cardinals vs. Mets Odds, Run Line, Total

Run Line:

• Cardinals: +1.5 (-200)
• Mets: -1.5 (+165)

Moneyline:

• Cardinals: +102
• Mets: -112

Total: 8 (Over -110/Under -110)

Cardinals vs. Mets Prediction and Pick

Mikolas only pitched 44.2 innings last season due to injury, but has returned to his All-Star form this year. In nearly the same amount of time (44.1 innings across 7 starts) he has a 1.49 ERA, walking less than 2 batters per 9 innings and posting a WHIP (walks, hits per inning pitched) of .945 which is a career high.

He'll face an elite lineup in the Mets, but one that isn't generating as many scoring chances. The team is first in on-base percentage, but ninth in wRC+, meaning that they are getting runners on base but not getting run scoring chances as much as their numbers would indicate. Against an elite pitcher, Mikolas should be able to hold down the fort and put together another strong outing.

As for New York, it'll be a bullpen game so there's going to be some variance, but the team has the arm talent to keep them in the game. If Williams, who has been shaky with 5.73 ERA but may be in line for some positive regression with a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.19, can put together several strong innings, the Mets can also keep this game close in a low scoring affair. For what it's worth, the Cards are 10th in wRC+, just behind the Mets.

With all that being said, I'll be on the under 8 as I expect both staffs to have their way with two good, but maybe not as great offenses at the moment.

LEAN: UNDER 8

You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!