Mets and Cards Set for Series

From Mets.com:

Tuesday, April 21 Busch Stadium | 8:15 PM ET

Oliver Perez, LHP (1-1, 7.84) Mets (6-6) @ Todd Wellemeyer, RHP (1-1, 4.50) Cardinals (8-5)

Scouting Report: Mets: Perez is coming off his first win of the season on Wednesday night, a six-inning, one-run performance against the Padres. Although the lefty admitted to not having his best fastball, Perez used his slider and changeup early and often to keep San Diego's batters off balance. He fanned four and walked two, allowing two of the Padres' three hits to Luis Rodriguez. For Perez, it's all about consistency and Wednesday night he used a methodical approach, throwing 57 of 90 pitches for strikes. Cardinals: Wellemeyer has simplified his delivery in between starts and it has paid dividends. In his most recent start, he went seven innings against the Diamondbacks on Monday, allowing seven hits, and one earned run. He struck out four and didn't walk a batter. In Wellemeyer's first start of the season, he gave up 12 hits and five runs in a loss to Pittsburgh.

Wednesday, April 22 Busch Stadium | 8:15 PM ET

John Maine, RHP (0-1, 7.20) Mets (6-6) @ Joel Pineiro, RHP (2-0, 5.40) Cardinals (8-5)

Scouting Report: Mets: After cruising through the first two frames with barely a hiccup on Thursday, Maine opened the third inning with a walk to Henry Blanco. Three of the next four Padres connected for a base hit, as San Diego batted around the order and worked Maine for a 46-pitch, five run inning. The right-hander exited after allowing six earned runs in five innings, to mark his first loss of the year. Maine is a solid pitcher who has been plagued by one or two bad innings. He is getting stronger and will try to harness a 95 mph fastball to his advantage. Cardinals: Between Sunday's rainout and Monday's off day, the Cardinals will buy Pineiro two extra days of rest. Pineiro has one good start and one so-so one to his name thus far, but St. Louis has won both games. One trend has held in each of the three seasons in which he's pitched for the Cardinals: He is much better at Busch Stadium than away from home.

Thursday, April 23 Busch Stadium | 1:40 PM ET

Livan Hernandez, RHP (1-0, 4.63) Mets (6-6) @ Kyle Lohse, RHP (2-0, 2.57) Cardinals (8-5)

Scouting Report: Mets: Hernandez isn't fancy, but in manager Jerry Manuel's words, the veteran "always gives us a chance to win." That was the case again on Friday night, when Hernandez allowed one run over the first four innings before surrendering a three-run homer to Milwaukee's Ryan Braun. The Mets went on to win, 5-4. As a No. 5 starter, Hernandez gives the Mets much-needed consistency and length, and he'll look to accomplish that same feat in St. Louis. In 16 career starts against the Cardinals, Hernandez is 5-5 with a 4.33 ERA. Cardinals: Even with the rainout and off day, Lohse will stay on turn, pitching on four days' rest. He didn't fare so well against the Cubs, so he'll pitch against the Mets instead. Mind you, he had a little bit of trouble against New York last year as well, but either way it's not like Lohse will be defenseless. He's been very good at home since joining the Cardinals.