The set-up: Everyone is talking about the the Cubs, as the defending champs have returned from the break to win five in a row, closing within 2 1/2 games of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, However, the Brewers also need to be worried about the Cardinals, who have rebounded from a disastrous stretch by playing their best baseball of the season over the last 2 1/2 weeks. The Cards have won 13 of 20 and at 46-47, have a chance to reach .500 by sweeping the Mets in this three-game series. Cards are now just 4 1/2 games back of Milwaukee. With Tuesday's 5-0 loss, the Mets have dropped three in a row and eight of 11 to plummet into fourth place in the National League East at 41-50.

The pitching matchup: Mike Leake (6-7 & 3.14 ERA) takes the mound for the Cards and Jacob deGrom (10-3 & 3.48 ERA) for the Mets. Leake's 3.14 ERA is solid but he is mired in a 1-5 slump in his last nine starts (Cards are 3-6). Leake owns a solid 2.74 ERA against the Mets but is just 2-3 in seven starts (teams are 4-3). DeGrom won his sixth consecutive start Friday, when he allowed two runs (one earned) over eight innings as the Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 14-2. He struck out 11 and walked one. He has lasted at least seven innings in each of his past six wins, a stretch that began with a complete game against the Chicago Cubs back on June 12. He has a 1.53 ERA during the winning streak and has allowed just 27 hits and nine walks while striking out 47 in 47 innings.

The pick: DeGrom is 2-2 with a 5.63 ERA in four career starts against the Cardinals but he comes in pitching as well as any pitcher in MLB not named Clayton Kershaw. Meanwhile, his opposite number (Leake), is slumping. The Cards are playing better right now but deGrom will be the difference. No sweep here! Make the Mets a 10* play.