Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Cardinals play a four-game series at Citi Field beginning on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.
Preview
Is the elite version of Kodai Senga back?
Senga lost most of last season due to injury, but he was the best version of himself during his one regular season start in 2024 — firing 5.1 innings of two-run ball against the Braves while throwing 52 of 73 pitches for strikes and fanning nine batters.
Of course, Senga left that start after hurting his calf — an injury that cost him the remainder of the regular season and left him behind the eight ball during the minor postseason contributions he made upon his return.
During Senga's first two starts of 2025, he more than held his own, allowing just two earned runs in 10.0 innings while striking out 12. But during his recent outing against the Athletics, he was utterly dominant, needing just 79 pitches to get through 7.0 shutout innings while walking two and striking out four.
In that start in Sacramento, Senga's ghost fork was extra filthy and his fastball consistently reached 97 mph, topping out at 97.6 — the fastest he has thrown so far this season.
If Senga consistently resembles the version of himself who was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2023, the Mets — who now have Clay Holmes pitching very well and Sean Manaea on the horizon — should be in very strong shape rotation-wise.
The pitching situation
Griffin Canning was scratched from Wednesday's start due to illness, with Huascar Brazoban getting the start as an opener.
With Canning unavailable, the Mets optioned Max Kranick to Triple-A Syracuse in order to call up Justin Hagenman, who was sharp in his major league debut on Wednesday against the Twins.
The Mets will have the option of bringing Kranick back on Thursday as a replacement on the roster for the injured Jose Siri — if Siri is placed on the IL as expected.
Meanwhile, Canning is set to pitch Thursday's series-opener against St. Louis.
Is Mark Vientos' turnaround in progress?
Vientos hasn't hit much this season, with a .145/.254/.210 triple slash and OPS+ of 37.
Most glaring has been Vientos' lack of power. He has four doubles, but has yet to homer after cracking 27 long balls in just 111 games in 2024.
But Vientos has a six-game…