Series Preview: Reds Come To Citi Field

After a phenomenal series against their division rival Braves, the Mets now face what should be an easier task. The Reds are coming to town for a three-game series at Citi Field. Of course, last time these two teams faced each other in Cincinnati, the Reds came away with a 2-1 series victory. But based on how the Mets played against the Braves this weekend, there’s no reason they can’t beat the Reds this time around.

The Mets had a series for the ages against the Braves. If not for a poor start by Taijuan Walker in game two, it’s entirely possible that the Mets might have swept the five-game series. Even with the poor start to game two, the series against the Braves was exciting from beginning to end. Some highlights included great hitting by Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor, and great pitching by Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Edwin Diaz. In fact, DeGrom’s return to the Citi Field mound could not have been written better.

The Reds are coming into this series having won their last two series, one against the Marlins and one against the Brewers. That’s impressive for a team that traded away some of its best players before the August 2^nd deadline. Former Met Brandon Drury is now also a former Red, as he was traded to the Dodgers. And the Reds’ former ace Luis Castillo is now pitching for the Mariners. The Reds of course also traded Tyler Naquin to the Mets. It’s fair to say the Mets will be facing a much different Reds team this time around. Perhaps the most interesting Reds’ player to watch will be Alexis Diaz, brother of Edwin Diaz. Alexis was on the injured list the last time the Mets were in Cincinnati, but this time around he’s back to being a weapon in the Reds’ bullpen.

Monday, August 8, 2022: RHP Chris Bassitt (8-7, 3.61 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Dunn (0-0, -.–ERA)

Bassitt’s most recent outing was against the Nationals. He pitched seven scoreless innings, with four strikeouts and one walk. Bassitt has faced the Reds once in his career, and that one start was back in 2019. He gave up three runs in 7 2/3 innings, while striking out nine and walking one.

Dunn will be making his season debut on Tuesday against the Mets. Tuesday will also mark the first time Dunn has faced the Mets since they traded him to the Mariners in 2018 as part of the deal that got them Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano. Dunn has not made a major league start since June 17, 2021, when he suffered a shoulder injury while pitching for the Mariners. The Reds acquired Dunn from the Mariners earlier this year despite his injury history.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022: RHP Carlos Carrasco (12-4, 3.82 ERA) vs. LHP Mike Minor (1-8, 6.19 ERA)

Carrasco pitched wonderfully for the Mets in game one of their recent series against the Braves. He gave up three runs in six innings, while striking out six and walking one. Carrasco’s win in game one definitely put the Mets on the right track in their eventual 4-1 series win over the Braves. Carrasco has faced the Reds eight times in his career. He has a 3.32 ERA against them in 43 1/3 innings.

Minor was traded from the Royals to the Reds back in March of this year. He missed the start of the season due to left shoulder soreness and did not make his Reds debut until June 3^rd. In his last outing for the Reds, against the Marlins, he gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings. Minor has faced the Mets 13 times in his career, and he has a 4.56 ERA in 71 innings against them.

Wednesday, August 10, 2022: RHP Taijuan Walker (9-3, 3.45 ERA) vs. TBD

Walker’s last start, against the Braves, was easily his worst outing of 2022. He did not record an out in the second inning, and he was responsible for eight runs. Walker was seemingly affected by catching a spike on his cleat and he threw a pitch to the second batter of the game, as he did not have control of his pitches from that point on. Hopefully the control issues are behind him when he starts on Wednesday. Walker faced the Reds earlier this season in Cincinnati. He gave up three runs in six innings and struck out nine.

Prediction:

The Mets have the pitching, lineup, and home-field advantages in this series. There’s no reason they should not be able to sweep the Reds,  but a 2-1 series win would also be acceptable.