New York @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 29, 2013 ) St. Louis 2, NY Mets 7

The St. Louis Cardinals have won nine of their last 11 games and have received great starting pitching throughout most of that stretch. The New York Mets, who visit the Cardinals for the start of a four-game series on Monday, have had most of their problems in the batter’s box and have dropped three straight. The Mets have averaged 2.3 runs over their last six games and have been held to three or fewer in 13 of the last 18 contests.

The Cardinals held the Colorado Rockies to a total of three hits in the first two games of their weekend series but had a letdown on Sunday in an 8-2 loss. The eight runs were the most the St. Louis staff had allowed in any game this month. The pitching has managed to overcome a few concerns about the offense, which has been held to 2.6 runs over the last five contests. Lance Lynn, who was a victim of poor run support in a 2-1 loss his last time out, is hoping St. Louis breaks out of its slump on Monday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (0-4, 4.63 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (5-1, 2.72)

Hefner had put together back-to-back strong starts before falling off last week in a loss to the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander was reached for four runs and eight hits in six innings. Hefner has gotten more than three runs of support twice in his six starts. He has never faced St. Louis and is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA on the road this season.

Lynn had a 10-game winning streak snapped due to some poor support last time out, when he allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings at the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday and has surrendered two or fewer runs in five of his seven starts. Lynn has made three appearances (one start) in his career against the Mets and has yet to earn a win while carrying one loss and a 3.86 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets are 5-8 on the road and are beginning a seven-game trip against the Cardinals.

2. St. Louis OF Jon Jay has hit safely in nine straight games, raising his average from .204 to .266.

3. New York RHP Frank Francisco (elbow) suffered a setback and missed a bullpen session over the weekend. He is scheduled to see a doctor again this week.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 7, Mets 2