The matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets is set for tonight as both teams look to improve their standings. The Cardinals enter the game at .500 with a recent win over the Astros, where Steven Matz dominated on the mound. On the other side, the Mets are coming off a narrow loss to the Twins, showcasing the inconsistency in their bullpen. Andre Pallante, with a stellar ERA of 2.20, is slated to start for St. Louis, while Griffin Canning takes the mound for New York, coming off a less impressive outing.

The latest betting odds favor the Mets slightly, but trends suggest the Cardinals have the potential to make an impact. With the over hitting in recent road games for St. Louis and the Mets winning four of their last five at home, this game is shaping up to be competitive. Bettors and fantasy players alike should keep an eye on Pallante's performance, as he has been a key player in the Cardinals' rotation.

The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a puzzling offseason, having spoken about a potential organizational reset, yet little has changed from their 83-win season in 2024. Major roster alterations are lacking, with Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Kittredge departing in free agency, alongside the rejection of club options for Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. Amidst swirling trade rumors, no significant moves have materialized.

ESPN's Jeff Passan highlighted that the Cardinals' inactivity has caught other teams off guard, especially with usually active franchises like the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins also struggling to finalize trades. Despite Nolan Arenado being a prime candidate for trade, he, along with other rumored players such as Steven Matz, Erick Fedde, and Ryan Helsley, remains on the roster.

The Cleveland Guardians are actively seeking to enhance their starting pitching staff ahead of the 2025 season, with analysts advocating for the addition of veteran pitchers. The escalating costs in the market make a trade the most viable option for the Guardians, who are reportedly interested in St. Louis Cardinals pitchers Erick Fedde and Steven Matz.

According to John Denton, a beat reporter for MLB.com, the Guardians have made inquiries about both pitchers multiple times in recent weeks. Their interest in Fedde and Matz first surfaced in late December 2024, and Denton has reiterated the Guardians' keen interest as the offseason progresses. Fedde, who concluded the 2024 season with a strong 3.30 ERA, is seen as an ideal fit for Cleveland's rotation, while Matz's performance, hampered by injury, presents a more uncertain option.

The Detroit Tigers are exploring trade options for pitchers from the St. Louis Cardinals, despite recent free agency moves that bolstered their rotation.

Veteran pitchers Erick Fedde and Steven Matz have attracted interest from the Tigers as the Cardinals prepare for a roster reset aimed at 2025.

Fedde is coming off a strong season, while Matz has struggled with injuries, making him a potentially less desirable option.

The 2024-25 MLB offseason is heating up with significant free-agent activity and trade rumors as the Winter Meetings approach. The San Francisco Giants are reportedly interested in ace pitcher Corbin Burnes, who had an impressive season with the Orioles and is a top target on the market.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals are looking to trade veterans Ryan Helsley and Steven Matz as part of their rebuilding strategy, with Helsley coming off a standout season as a closer.