On April 18, the St. Louis Cardinals (9-10) face the New York Mets (12-7) at Citi Field in Queens. This matchup features Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals, who is struggling with a 9.00 ERA this season, against Mets’ David Peterson, boasting a solid 2.70 ERA. In the first game of the series, the Mets claimed victory with a 4-1 score, highlighting Francisco Lindor's three-hit performance and Mark Vientos' first home run of the season. Expert predictions suggest looking at the betting odds of Mets at -166 on the moneyline, while the Cardinals sit at +140. The over/under is set at 8 runs.

As the game approaches, key trends are worth noting: Wilson Contreras from the Cardinals is hitless in his past three games, while Lindor has been red-hot, hitting safely in six consecutive games. Given these dynamics, the betting model leans towards the Mets on the moneyline and the total runs going over 8. This game should provide ample opportunities for fantasy enthusiasts and bettors alike, with crucial player performances likely influencing the outcome.

As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, fantasy baseball managers are grappling with early-season struggles from key players. Chris Sale, the reigning Cy Young winner, has only mustered 20 fantasy points through four starts, while Francisco Lindor, a top-15 pick, has just 32 points.

Players such as Sale and Lindor are experiencing familiar slow starts, prompting many to prematurely drop them. Yet, historical trends suggest patience is critical. Last season, Aaron Judge faced similar struggles at the start, only to rebound spectacularly. Managers are reminded to resist the urge to react too hastily to early season data, as some players notorious for slow starts, such as Lindor, often find their rhythm later on.

The New York Mets showcased a potent offense and strong pitching to secure an 8-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics, clinching their fourth consecutive series win. This marked a significant offensive breakthrough, with all players in the lineup reaching base. Key contributors included Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and Luis Torrens, with Kodai Senga delivering a stellar pitching performance. Senga struck out four over seven scoreless innings, marking his most extended outing of the season.

After a slow start against former Mets pitcher Luis Severino, Torrens ignited the offense with a two-RBI game, solidifying his role as a crucial player during Francisco Alvarez's absence. The Mets' bullpen, featuring A.J. Minter and Max Kranick, maintained the shutout. As they head into a series against the Minnesota Twins, the Mets appear to be gaining momentum, although concerns linger regarding Jose Siri's injury status.

Juan Soto continues to be a reliable force for the New York Mets, contributing significantly with a third-inning RBI double that helped secure a 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. His two-hit game extended his on-base streak to ten games, the longest start of any season in his career. Kodai Senga displayed impressive command, shutting out the Marlins through five innings, while the bullpen maintained the lead. The Mets, now on a five-game winning streak, took advantage of the absence of Marlins' ace Sandy Alcantara, who was put on the paternity list.

The Marlins struggled against starter Senga and his supporting bullpen, which has been pivotal to the Mets' success so far this season. New York's pitching depth has been tested early on, leading to closer Ryne Stanek stepping in for Edwin Diaz to seal the game with a clean ninth-inning performance. The win keeps the Mets at the top of their division, showcasing Soto's growing importance in their lineup and the team's resilient pitching.