MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Reds, 12:35 p.m.

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 • 12:35 P.M.
Great American Ball Park • Cincinnati, OH
RHP Marcus Stroman (6-8, 2.79) vs. RHP Jeff Hoffman (3-4, 4.69)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WFAN 92.7 FM

After back-to-back days using the entire bullpen to the limit, the Mets were hoping to get at least three if not four innings from Robert Stock last night. However, the injury bug continued to haunt the Mets, and Stock left with an injury after running to first base in the top of the second. The Mets bullpen did an excellent job keeping them in the game to the point that losing 4-3 almost feels like a win. The Yankees beat the Phillies so the Mets maintained their 2.5 game lead in the east.

Mets Lineup

1. Brandon Nimmo – CF

2. Jeff McNeil – 2B

3. Pete Alonso – 1B

4. Dominic Smith – LF

5. Michael Conforto – RF

6. Jonathan Villar – 3B

7. Tomas Nido – C

8. Luis Guillorme – SS

9. Marcus Stroman – RHP

Reds Lineup

1. Jonathan India – 2B

2. Jesse Winker – LF

3. Tyler Stephenson – C

4. Joey Votto – 1B

5. Tyler Naquin – CF

6. Eugenio Suarez – 3B

7. Aristides Aquino – RF

8. Kyle Farmer – SS

9. Jeff Hoffman – RHP

All of that makes today’s start by Marcus Stroman that much more important. Stroman today will look to save both the series and the Mets bullpen. In 19 starts and 103.1 innings this year Stroman has a 2.79 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 1.142 WHIP, and a 140 ERA+. In the month of July he has pitched 15.0 innings allowing 10 runs, 8 earned, from 19 hits and 1 walk. The Reds have the following numbers against him:

Kyle Farmer 1-2, HR
Tyler Naquin 8-14, 2B, K
Eugenio Suarez 2-7, BB
Joey Votto 1-5, BB
Nick Castellanos 2-17, HR, BB, 2 K
Mike Freeman 0-1
Tucker Barnhart 0-2, K

The Mets bats will look to bounce back from last night against Jeff Hoffman. Hoffman has pitched 41.0 innings over 10 starts with a 4.61 ERA, 4.66 FIP, 1.585 WHIP, and a 103 ERA+. This will be his first start since May 26th against the Nationals where he allowed two runs from two hits and five walks in 1.1 innings. He landed on the IL with a right shoulder impingement and will be making this start as a way to give Mahle and Castillo an extra day off. The Mets have the following numbers against Hoffman: