Mets @ Brewers

Who will WIN this matchup?

New York Mets (73-79)

@ Milwaukee Brewers (91-62)

Starting Pitchers:

Megill (NYM): 3-5; 4.57 ERA

Lauer (MIL) 6-5; 3.03 ERA

Current odds:

New York Mets: (+125)

Milwaukee Brewers: (-135)

• The slumping Milwaukee Brewers will turn to left-hander Eric Lauer with hopes of clinching the NL Central title at home when they open a three-game series Friday against the New York Mets. Lauer (6-5, 3.03 ERA) will be opposed by rookie right-hander Tylor Megill (3-5, 4.57). Milwaukee’s magic number for clinching the division title remains at three after being swept in four home games by St. Louis.

• Paul Goldschmidt homered twice and the Cardinals rallied from five runs down for an 8-5 victory Thursday to extend their winning streak to 12 games. Tyrone Taylor had a grand slam and a solo homer to give the Brewers a 5-0 lead, which the bullpen failed to hold. Milwaukee, which has lost seven of its last nine, wasted a quality start by Adrian Houser, who allowed one run on five hits in six innings.

• Without a late-inning lead, All-Star closer Josh Hader — who has saved 33 of 34 chances — did not pitch in the St. Louis series. Eighth-inning setup specialist Devin Williams (8-2, 2.55) is nursing a calf injury sustained while running in the outfield earlier this week and was not available, Counsell said.

• Milwaukee (91-62), which has secured a playoff spot but has lost five straight, leads St. Louis (83-69) by 7 1/2 games. The Cardinals, who are 4 1/2 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the second wild card, host the Brewers for three games at the end of September.

• The Mets (73-79) have lost eight of 10 and are 7 1/2 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and 10 games out of the second wild card, with four teams ahead of them.

• The series against the Mets wraps up the Brewers’ 10-game final homestand. Milwaukee finishes on the road with three at St. Louis and three against the Dodgers.

• Lauer is certainly hoping for better things than his first two starts against the Mets, which came in 2018 and 2019. He pitched a combined 6 1/3 innings in those starts, allowing 10 earned runs for an ERA of 14.21. Lauer is 5-2 with a 1.83 ERA in his last 13 games, including 12 starts. In his last outing, Lauer left with a 2-1 lead after 5 1/3 innings, but did not get a decision as the Cubs rallied for 6-4 victory.

• Megill is coming off his shortest start of the season; he gave up five runs in the first inning and allowing six runs overall on nine hits in three innings during an 11-4 home loss to St. Louis. Megill made one start this season against Milwaukee, allowing one run on two hits in five innings, but did not get the decision in a 4-2 victory at home in early July when the Mets took two of three. He is 2-3 with a 6.31 ERA in his last seven starts, allowing nine home runs in 35 2/3 innings.