Mets vs Cardinals Prediction, Odds & Best Bets for March 31
The New York Mets travel to Busch Stadium on Tuesday, March 31st, for a high-stakes clash against the St. Louis Cardinals. With both teams looking to establish early dominance, betting markets and prediction platforms are buzzing with activity.
According to data from prediction market Kalshi and sports analytics platform Sofascore, the visiting Mets enter the contest as the statistical favorites, even though the Cardinals remain a formidable threat on their home turf.
In their last 10 games against each other, both the Mets and Cardinals have shared the spoils with 5 wins apiece.
The Betting Odds: Mets Favored in St. Louis
Ahead of matchday, Kalshi contracts are leaning strongly toward the New York Mets, with “Yes” contracts for a Mets victory currently trading at $0.61, implying a 60% probability of a win for the team from Queens. Conversely, the St. Louis Cardinals are viewed as the underdogs in the match, with their win probability sitting at 38%.
This sentiment is echoed by Sofascore, where the moneyline odds stand at -149 for the Mets and +125 for the Cardinals. This means that oddsmakers see the Mets taking home the game ahead of the matchup.
NY Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals: Potential Lineups
Based on the current roster availability, the projected lineups for Tuesday’s game are as follows:
New York Mets:
- Francisco Lindor (SS)
- Juan Soto (LF)
- Bo Bichette (3B)
- Jorge Polanco (DH)
- Bretty Baty (RF)
- Robert Jr. (1B)
- Marcus Semien (2B)
- Carson Benge (CF)
- Francisco Alvarez (C)
St. Louis Cardinals:
- JJ Wetherholt (2B)
- Iván Herrera (DH)
- Alec Burleson (1B)
- Masyn Winn (SS)
- Nolan Gorman (3B)
- Jordan Walker (RF)
- Nathan Church (LF)
- Pedro Pages (C)
- Victor Scott II (CF)
Pitching Matchup: Kodai Senga (1.86 ERA) vs Andre Pallante (2.57 ERA)
Tonight’s game at Busch Stadium features an intriguing pitching matchup between Kodai Senga, a former All-Star closer who has reinvented himself as a starter, and Andre Pallante, a versatile young arm looking to cement his place in the Cardinals’ rotation.
Senga is a critical piece of the Mets’ championship ambitions, with his ability to rack up strikeouts being undisputed. The Cardinals’ rather young lineup, which includes rookie sensation JJ Wetherholt and the power-hitting Alec Burleson, will be tested by his secondary pitches. Traditionally, Senga thrives on keeping the ball out of the zone, and the Cardinals’ discipline will determine if he can go deep in this game.
Meanwhile, Pallante is a pitch-to-contact expert. This can be a dangerous strategy against a Mets lineup that now includes heavy hitters like Juan Soto and Bo Bichette. To succeed against the Mets’ top order, he will need to keep the ball down, as these players are elite at punishing high fastballs. Last season, Pallante relied heavily on his sinker, and if he can’t get the Mets to struggle, then it’ll be a long night for the St. Louis bullpen.
Best Bets and Match Prediction: NY Mets (5) – (3) St. Louis Cardinals
When weighing the options for the Tuesday game, the New York Mets’ moneyline of -149 serves as the anchor test. The rationale lies in the pitching mismatch; Senga possesses an elite out-pitch in his ghost forkball that can baffle young hitters like Wetherholt and Walker, who are still adjusting to high-level offspeed movement. With the Mets’ lineup featuring Soto and Lindor, they are mathematically more likely to manufacture runs against a contact-oriented pitcher like Pallante.
For those seeking higher risk-reward, the St. Louis Cardinals (+125) offer significant plus-money value. Historically, Busch Stadium acts as a stabilizer for the Cardinals. The park’s dimensions favor Pallante’s sinker-ball style, which can neutralize power hitters by inducing double plays. If Pallante can keep the ball on the ground and exit the fifth inning with a lead, the St. Louis’ bullpen will have the late-inning velocity to frustrate the Mets.
The Mets’ superior bullpen depth and hard-hitter lineup for the late innings should be enough to overcome the Cardinals’ home-field energy and secure a victory on the road.
Final Score Prediction: New York Mets 5 – 3 St. Louis Cardinals
The New York Mets are playing the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, March 31, at 7:45 pm ET at the Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.
