New York Mets at Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
Before going out to enjoy fireworks on Monday, check out a National League matchup as the New York Mets (49-30) take on the Cincinnati Reds (27-51). The Reds will host this one at Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm ET.
The Mets, who are tied for the most wins in the National League, took two of three from the Texas Rangers over the weekend, including a 4-1 victory on Sunday. In the win, Carlos Carrasco went 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out eight.
Offensively, the Mets got four runs on seven hits, including two home runs. Both Starling Marte and Eduardo Escobar hit their ninth homers of the season.
On Sunday, the Reds salvaged the finale of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves 4-3. Luis Castillo was excellent in this one, giving up just one run in seven innings of work.
Albert Almora was the hero Sunday as he hit a walk-off single to win it for Cincy. He was the only Reds’ hitter with multiple hits as he was two for four.
The Mets are the favorites despite playing on the road. They are -168 to win while the Reds’ moneyline sits at +142. The runline features Cincinnati +1.5 (-110), and the over/under for total runs is 9.5.
Mets Look For Win Number 50
While the Dodgers currently have a better winning percentage than the Mets by mere percentage points, the Mets will look to be the first in the National League to 50 wins Monday.
New York is also trying to hold off their NL East rivals, the Atlanta Braves, who have snuck within 3.5 games of the Mets.
Manager Buck Showalter will send righty Taijuan Walker to the mound for Monday’s opener. In 13 games, he is 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and has 52 strikeouts in 72.2 innings of work.
Walker was sensational in his last start but took a no-decision against the Astros. In 7.1 innings, he allowed no runs on four hits while striking out three.
Leading the Mets’ offense is first baseman Pete Alonso. In 286 at bats, he is hitting .276/.355/.545 with a team-leading 22 home runs and 69 runs batted in.
This will be the first time that any Mets’ hitter has seen Reds’ starter Hunter Greene.
Reds Try To Climb Out Of Cellar
While the Mets are competing for the best record in the National League, the Reds currently have the worst. At 27-51, they already sit 17.5 games out of first in the NL Central, and the next worst record in the NL is the Nationals, who are 29-52.
If the Reds hope to climb out of the cellar, they are going to have to be better at home. Thus far, the Reds are just 13-25 in games at Great American Ball Park.
Taking the mound for the Reds Monday will be rookie flamethrower Hunter Greene. In 15 games, the 22-year-old is 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA, 1.34, and has 93 strikeouts in 74 innings.
Greene has picked up losses in back-to-back outings. In his last two games combined, he has allowed nine runs on 11 hits in nine innings of work.
Offensively, Brandon Drury continues to lead the Reds in most categories. In 256 at bats, he is hitting .270/.329/.523 with a team-leading 16 home runs, 42 runs batted in, and 48 runs scored.
Joey Votto has had some success against the Mets’ Taijuan Walker, going one for two with a home run in his career. Otherwise, Reds’ hitters are just a combined 1 for 13 against the righty.
Take The Mets To Win And Cover
While Hunter Greene has the stuff to eventually be electric in this league, he is still navigating the majors and how his arsenal best plays.
Unfortunately, he basically has to be perfect as the Reds struggle to score. They currently rank 19th in scoring, averaging just 4.30 runs per game.
On the flip side, Taijuan Walker has been sensational this year, and he threw an absolute gem in his last outing against Houston.
While the Mets are 2-4 in their last six games overall, they are 14-6 in their last 20 against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Expect that trend to continue, and don’t be shocked if they cover the -1.5 runline.
Take New York -1.5 (-110).
