[Sportscapper]

St. Louis (66-57) at N.Y. Mets (75-48)

The Cardinals and Mets begin a three-game series at Shea Stadium, with New York sending rookie John Maine (3-3, 2.68) to the mound against Jeff Weaver (5-13, 6.07).

Both teams were idle Monday. The Mets carry a four-game winning streak into this one, while the Cardinals have won four of their last six. St. Louis has owned this rivalry of late, winning 24 of the last 32 clashes, including two of three this year.

The Cardinals are in a 4-10 slump on the road, while the Mets are riding an eight-game home winning streak.

Weaver is 2-3 with a 5.54 ERA in seven starts since being traded from the Angels to the Cardinals in July. However, he’s been terrific in his last three trips to the bump, going 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA. In his most recent outing on Thursday against Cincinnati, he allowed a run on three hits over 7 1/3 innings in the Cardinals’ 2-1 home victory.

Including his time with the Angels, Weaver is 4-7 with a 4.35 ERA on the road, but 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA while with St. Louis.

The righthander is 2-1 with a 5.88 ERA in four lifetime starts against the Mets.

Maine has been a godsend for the Mets, giving up three earned runs or fewer in six of his eight starts, including three scoreless outings. New York is 5-0 in his last five trips to the mound after going 0-3 in his first three.

Maine is 2-3 with a 2.13 ERA in six starts at Shea Stadium. Tonight marks his first-ever appearance against Albert Pujols and the Redbirds.

The under is 4-2 in Weaver’s last six starts (3-1 on the road) and 5-1 in Maine’s last six games (4-0 at home).

The under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 contests at Shea Stadium and 6-2 in the last eight series meetings.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER