The Cincinnati Reds (14-20) host the New York Mets (17-18) at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game series. The Mets are playing their first of seven games on the road. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Rockies, dropping the finale 13-6 on Sunday at Citi Field.
Daniel Vogelbach was 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The Reds are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They lost two of three against the White Sox in their last series, dropping the finale 17-4 on Sunday at Great American Ball Park.
Spencer Steer went 3 for 5 with a solo home run and a double. Jonathan India added a solo home run and a double. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Mets won five of the six games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a three-game set at Citi Field in August.
ON THE MOUND
Max Scherzer (2-2, 5.56 ERA) is set to start for New York. The RHP allowed six runs over 3.1 innings in his last start, an 8-1 road defeat against the Tigers on Wednesday. He took the loss, giving up eight hits while striking out three and walking one.
Scherzer made one start against the Reds in 2022, a 1-0 road loss on July 5. He allowed two hits over six scoreless innings, striking out 11.For Cincinnati, RHP Luke Weaver (0-2, 7.88 ERA) gets the ball.
In his last start on May 1, Weaver took the loss on the road against the Padres. He threw 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on nine hits, striking out three and walking two in the 8-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .236/.324/.383. Brandon Nimmo leads the team in OPS at .867. The center fielder is slashing .310/.407/.460 with three home runs, 14 RBIs, and 20 runs over 34 games.
Over the last five games, however, New York has averaged only 2.0 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.188/.260/.273). Against right-handed pitchers like Weaver this season, the Mets have a .709 OPS. Nimmo also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .887 OPS in 76 at-bats.
Cincinnati is slashing .245/.321/.370 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. India leads the team with ann .857 OPS. The third baseman has three home runs, 14 RBIs, and 27 runs scored with a slash line of .306/.397/.460.
Cincinnati is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five with their on-base percentage dropping to .276. The Reds have a .695 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .918 OPS over 94 at-bats, India also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is on a five-game losing streak away from Citi Field, bringing their record to 10-10 in 2023. The Mets have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.6 runs.
Cincinnati has gone 10-8 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 6.1. In the last 10 games between the teams at Great American Ball Park, New York is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.7-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mets are second in the NL East, seven games behind the division-leading Braves. The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, five games behind the Pirates.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Mets
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
