[MVB]

Do-or-die game tonight for the Cards: They have their ace, Chris Carpenter ( 2-0, 2.03 ERA versus Padres in the Division Series), on the mound against rookie John Maine ( pitched 4+ innings in Game 1 of the Division Series against LA). If St. Louis can't win with Carpenter on the mound, they don't have a chance to win this series.

Albert Pujols didn't have a good game last night ( 0 for 3, BB), but looks to rebound tonight. The last time Pujols faced Maine in Shea Stadium, he lit him up for 2 home runs and 7 RBIs ( grand slam, 3-run HR). But believe it or not, the Mets came back and won that particular game!

Chris Carpenter has a 4.24 career earned run average against the Mets. And Beltran has taken Carpenter deep twice in his career.

But the rest of the Mets don't have much experience against him-

Delgado: 2-3 ( 2B)
Green: 0-8
Lo Duca: 2-6 ( 2B)
Franco: 1-2
Reyes: 1-3
Wright: 0-3
Valentin: 1-15
Tucker: 2-9 (HR)

So, make your predictions here as part of GoTeamsGo $300 Ticket Contest!!

[ThePundit]

C.Carp comes up big tonight: 4-0 Cards.

[EmpireWF]

My brother's boss has been giving tickets out to his employees for the NLCS and it just so happens due to the confusion of the rain out the other day, one ticket was available so I'll be there @ Shea tonight rootin' on the Amazin' Mets.

This should be a good game and like MVB said, one that the rest of the series will be based on. If the Mets can beat Carpenter...series over. If not, the Cards at least have a shot.

[Lefty Noob]

Hey, good for you, Empire! Enjoy the game - hope for your sake it's a Mets victory.

[legend]

Wagner showed why he has never been considered in the class of the elite, nor will he be. Terrible loss for the Mets. The National League has NOOOOOOOOOOOOO pitching whatsoever. If you think diifferently, just look at the Cy Young candidates.

[ThePundit]

That was a tough loss for the Mets...Trachsel better win tonight because with Oliver Perez slated to go in game 4, if they lose tonight they'll be in huge trouble.