**Mets at Cardinals**

--A pair of division leaders will square off when these teams open a three-game series in this spot. Most sports books have installed St. Louis (24-14, +471) as a minus 115 favorite with a total of 8 1/2 'over' (minus 115). Bettors can back the Cardinals on the run line (minus 1 1/2 runs) for an ultra-generous plus 175 payout.

--Despite five losses in seven games, New York (23-14, +628) remains atop the National League East standings, but the Phillies have closed the gap to just one game. The Braves are in third place, trailing by 5 1/2 games.

--St. Louis has won seven of its last nine games to take a one-game lead over Cincy in the NL Central.

--Tom Glavine (5-2, 2.19 ERA) has been outstanding this season, producing like the Mets expected when he was signed as a free agent before the 2004 campaign. The veteran southpaw is 17-6 with a 3.58 ERA in 34 lifetime starts against St. Louis. Glavine is 2-1 with a 3.98 ERA in three road starts this year.

--Jeff Suppan (4-2, 4.58) will toe the rubber for the Cardinals, who have won in each of his last four outings. The right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four home starts. Suppan has a 2.39 ERA in his last four starts.

--St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols is 9-for-17 against Glavine, but all of his hits have been singles. Scott Rolen is batting .360 (18-for-50) with two homers and seven RBIs against Glavine. Rolen also has 14 walks for a .500 on-base percentage versus the left-hander.

--Tony Larussa's squad is 16-6 at home, while Willie Randolph's team is 11-8 on the road.

--The 'over' is 19-16 for the Mets overall, 11-7 in their road games.

--The 'over' is 12-10 for St. Louis at home.



**Rangers at Yankees**

--Most spots are listing the Yankees as minus 150 favorites with a total of 10 'over' (minus 115). They are plus 135 on the run line.

--Texas (20-17, +396) won the series opener 4-2 last night, snapping an eight-game losing streak to the Yankees. Kevin Millwood pitched seven strong innings, Brad Wilkerson hit a solo homer and Mark Teixeira belted a tiebreaking single in the eighth to lead the Rangers into the win column. Texas backers were rewarded with nice underdog payouts in the plus 155 range.

--New York (21-15, -69) fell one game back of Boston in the AL East standings following last night's results (the Red Sox hammered the O's, 11-1.). With the loss in the Bronx, the Yankees fell to 12-7 at home.

--Buck Showalter's club continues to play its best baseball on the road, where it has compiled an 11-5 record.

--Shawn Chacon (4-1, 3.34) had won four consecutive starts before getting a no-decision in a 5-3 loss to Boston. Nevertheless, the right-hander remains unbeaten at home with a 3-0 record and 3.00 ERA.

--John Koronka (4-1, 3.65) is 2-0 with a 3.78 ERA in three road starts this season.

--The Rangers are in first place in the AL West with a two-game cushion over Oakland.

--The 'under' has cashed in five consecutive games for the Yankees, who have seen it go 11-8 in their home games.

--The Rangers have seen the 'over' go 9-7 in their road outings.

--The 'under' is 5-1 in Chacon's six starts, 3-1 in his home assignments.

--The 'over' is 3-0 in Koronka's road outings.