The Mets open up a three game weekend series with the Cincinnati Reds tonight at 7:10 PM at Citi Field. RHP Jenrry Mejia opposes RHP Mike Leake for the Reds.
Recent history has favored the Reds over the Mets, especially when it comes to pitching. Cincinnati’s pitchers have produced a 2.36 ERA (33 earned runs over 126 innings pitched) against the Mets in 14 games over the last two seasons.
At Citi Field, the Reds are 12-5 all time, which included a three-game sweep in 2013 and a 7-1 record over the past two seasons. They are 4-0-1 in the last five series in Flushing.
Starting Lineup
- Eric Young, Jr. – LF
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Curtis Granderson – RF
- Lucas Duda – 1B
- Juan Lagares – CF
- Travis d’Arnaud – C
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Jenrry Mejia – RHP
Lucas Duda begins his test tonight as the Mets everyday first baseman. Terry Collins said Duda will get a full shot to show what he can do.
Prior to tonight’s game Eric Young, Jr. will be presented the Lou Brock Award for leading the National League in stolen bases last year. Young is 0-for-9 batting leadoff with five strikeouts.
Game Preview
The Mets are still looking for their first win of the season after being swept by the Nationals at home to start off the Year. The Nationals were able to exploit the Mets weakness for strikeouts and a weak bullpen to get the three W’s and the Mets’ opening schedule doesn’t get much easier with the Reds, but a new series means new perspective and the first start of the year for Jenrry Mejia as he faces off against Mike Leake.
Jenrry Mejia made 5 starts last year and went 1-2 with a 2.30 ERA over 27.1 innings. He had a strong spring as well with a 2.70 ERA over 13.1 innings. Last year he struck out 27 batters in 27.1 innings and in the spring he struck out 13 batters in 13.1 innings. In his career, he has faced the Reds twice, both in relief where he allowed 4 ER over 7 innings of work. As you can see below, the Reds do no have a lot of experience against Mejia:
- Ludwick 1-2
- Bernadina 0-1
- Phillips 1-1
- Votto 1-1
Mike Leake makes his 2014 debut vs the Mets as he looks to build off of a 2013 season that saw him drop his ERA from 4.58 to 3.37 over 31 starts and 192.1 innings with a record of 14-7 . He made two starts against the Mets last year where he pitched 8.2 innings while allowing 4 earned runs over 11 hits while striking out 6. The Mets have the following numbers against Leake:
- David Wright 3-15
- Daniel Murphy 3-15, 2B, HR
- Davis 1-11, 2B
- Duda 4-6, 2B
- Tejada 2-6
- Granderson 1-3
Lets Go Mets! Get that Win already!
