This is an 8* play on the New York Mets.

The Mets host the Cardinals on Monday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN, and I gotta like the #1 team in the NL East with it's ace on the mound. New York struggled on a recent road trip, but the Mets return home to Citi Field where they own a 15-4 record so far.

Matt Harvey will toe the slab for the home team, and he's been pretty tough on the opposition in New York. Harvey (5-1, 2.31 ERA) tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out nine in a no decision at Wrigley his last time out. He's won all three of his starts at Citi Field this season, and this looks like a favorable spot for the 26 year old.

The Cardinals hand the ball to John Lackey, who hasn't been very good on the road. Lackey (2-2, 3.22 ERA) allowed a pair of runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 2-0 loss to the Indians in Cleveland his last time out. He's winless with a 5.82 ERA in three starts on the road this season.

Michael Cuddyer drove in a pair of runs yesterday, and he's owned Lackey, hitting .320 with four home runs and six RBIs in 25 career at bats.

Take NYM.

GL,

Jesse Schule