INSIDE THE MATCHUPS

METS: In his last start, a 5-2 loss to the Giants last Wednesday, Bassitt went six innings and gave up five earned runs on eight hits, striking out six and walking one. Tuesday will be the righty’s second career start against the Cardinals, with the previous a 7-3 win while a member of the A’s.

CARDINALS: Hicks’ outing Thursday was his first career MLB start, when he struck out three while going three innings against the Marlins. Hicks gave up one run in the second inning and the Cardinals went on to lose 5-0. The righty made his MLB debut in 2018 at Citi Field, where he got Jay Bruce swinging for his first career strikeout.