Mets, Cardinals seeing offensive improvement ahead of series

The two teams will try to keep building momentum Friday night, when the Mets host the Cardinals in the opener of a three-game series. Jose Butto (0-0, 1.65 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against fellow right-hander Miles Mikolas (1-3, 6.49 ERA). The visiting Mets avoided being swept by the San Francisco Giants, winning 8-2 in the finale of a three-game series. The host Cardinals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 in the rubber game of a three-game set.