Preview: Mets at Cardinals, March 30, 2026

ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — Two early-season National League contenders with identical records will meet Monday when the New York Mets visit the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Both clubs enter the series opener at 2-1 after suffering one-run losses on Sunday. The Mets fell 4-3 in 10 innings to the Pittsburgh Pirates, while the Cardinals dropped an 11-7 slugfest to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The pitching matchup features right-hander Clay Holmes (0-0) for the Mets against Cardinals right-hander Kyle Leahy (0-0). Game time forecast calls for cloudy skies and 68 degrees.

A player to watch for New York is pitcher Nolan McLean, who delivered a strong outing in Sunday’s loss. He allowed two earned runs on four hits with eight strikeouts over five innings. For St. Louis, right fielder Jordan Walker is swinging a hot bat. He went 3 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in Sunday’s defeat, capping a series where he drove in key runs against the Rays.

The Mets’ bullpen was sharp behind McLean on Sunday, with Sean Manaea and Huascar Brazobán combining for three scoreless innings of relief. The Cardinals saw production from catcher Pedro Pagés, who homered and drove in two runs in the loss.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Mets are projected for a 7-6 victory. New York has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under is set at 8.5 runs.

This game begins a three-game series between the clubs. They will meet again Tuesday and Wednesday in St. Louis before both embark on extended road trips.

The Mets will continue their season-opening journey with a four-game set in San Francisco starting Thursday. The Cardinals will hit the road for series in Detroit and Washington following this homestand.