The New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals close out their four-game series on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Busch Stadium in what sets up to be a potentially lopsided finale given the current form of both clubs. The Mets enter the contest riding high with a 22-11 record, seeking a sweep of the reeling Cardinals, who have fallen to 14-19 after dropping the first three games of the series. With a strong offensive surge, efficient bullpen management, and stellar starting pitching, New York has outclassed St. Louis in virtually every facet through the first three games, outscoring them by a wide margin. One of the most intriguing elements heading into this game is the debut of Mets’ top pitching prospect Blade Tidwell, who brings electric stuff to the mound with a high-90s fastball and a devastating sweeper that’s already baffled minor league hitters. In his last two Triple-A starts, Tidwell recorded 18 strikeouts and issued just one walk, signaling his readiness for the big stage and adding an extra layer of anticipation for Sunday’s showdown. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are handing the ball to Erick Fedde, who has battled inconsistency throughout the early season. Despite showing flashes of command, Fedde has allowed 16 walks over 32.2 innings and is coming off a rocky outing where he surrendered seven earned runs, putting pressure on him to deliver a much-needed rebound performance for St. Louis.

The Mets’ offense continues to hum, powered by Pete Alonso’s dominant stretch—his .345 average, eight homers, and 30 RBIs speak to his clutch production, but he’s had ample support from Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte, and Brett Baty, who are all contributing with timely hits and smart base running. On the flip side, the Cardinals’ bats have been quiet throughout the series, unable to string together rallies or provide consistent protection for their middle-of-the-lineup threats like Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan. St. Louis will need more from Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, both of whom have been relatively silent in this series, and the team as a whole must find a way to solve New York’s pitching while minimizing their own defensive miscues. Sunday’s matchup heavily favors New York on paper, not just due to their superior record, but because of the momentum and confidence they carry into the finale. That said, with the unpredictability of a rookie making his debut and the ever-volatile nature of baseball, the Cardinals will hope to pounce early and shake Tidwell’s rhythm before he settles in. However, if the Mets continue to play the clean, high-IQ baseball that’s defined their season so far, they have an excellent chance to close out the sweep and head back to Citi Field with a 23rd win in the books. This game offers the Cardinals a chance to show resilience and avoid a demoralizing home sweep, while the Mets look to extend their dominance and further assert themselves as legitimate NL contenders.