Mets at Cardinals: 5 things to watch and predictions | August 5

Here are five things to watch and predictions like the Mets and Cardinals play a makeup game in St. Louis at 5:15 p.m. Monday…

Preview

What will the Mets be like?

This would seem like an oddly vague question without context, so here’s the context:

The road trip the Mets are currently on has already featured a ridiculous scheduling quirk, and the makeup game they’re being forced to fly to St. Louis for has made it worse.

Before the makeup game was scheduled, the plan was for the Mets to fly from Los Angeles to Colorado and then return to the West Coast to face the Mariners. But because it was so absurd, they had a day off between the Angels and Rockies series. Now that day off is over.

Instead of being off, the Mets have the pleasure of playing a night game against the Cardinals before hopping back on a plane to head to Colorado.

And it’s fair to wonder how prepared they will be for an important game against one of the teams they are fighting for a playoff spot.

He can Pedro Alonso passed the clutch?

Alonso seriously injured the Mets during Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Angels.

Three times he came up with runners in scoring position and three times he failed.

And the hits were uninspiring, with the end results being a ground out, a double play and a first pitch.

Alonso is now hitting just .198/.331/.359 in 130 games this season with runners in scoring position.

His other clutch stats are also pretty bad – .636 OPS with two outs and runners in scoring position, .603 OPS in late and close situations, and .678 OPS when the game is tied.

Brandon Nimmo It’s starting to come out of it

Nimmo had just three hits in 10 games in 39 at-bats before the Mets began their road trip, and he slashed .077/.250/.077 during that span.

But he began to show signs against the Angels.

Nimmo reached base safely in all three games in Los Angeles, recording four hits, two walks, two runs scored and one stolen base.

Edwin Diaz will probably join the game

Because of the way the Mets’ games have been shaky lately, with some lopsided wins and close losses, Diaz hasn’t played since July 30.

Diaz was warming up Sunday night in case the Mets tied the game or took the lead.

Now, after five days off, it stands to reason that Diaz could pitch in today’s game against the Cardinals regardless of the score.

Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are still fighting

The Cardinals’ most important offensive players continue to go through this.

Arenado has a .706 OPS (98 OPS+).

Goldschmidt has a .681 OPS (90 OPS+).

But even though the big sluggers are struggling, they have the pedigree to turn the game upside down.

The Mets should also be careful with their old friend Tommy Phamwho has been tearing up coverage on the ball since being traded back to St. Louis at the deadline.

Predictions

Who will be the game’s MVP?

Francisco Lindor.

Lindor has a knack for stepping up when the Mets need him most, and today is one of those times.

What will be Sean Manaea’s final speech?

5.0 innings pitched, two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out seven.

Which Cardinals player will be a thorn in the side of the Mets?

Tommy Pham.

Because why not?