In the second of a four-game series between the Cincinnati Reds (63-89) and the New York Mets (86-67) at the Great American Ball Park, Anthony DeSclafani (9-11, 3.79 ERA) and Noah Syndergaard (8-7, 3.39 ERA) get the ball. The Reds lost the last game 6-4, extending a five-game losing streak. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 25 and will air on FSOH and SNY.
In his last start, DeSclafani pitched 4.1 innings, allowing four runs (one unearned) and striking out three in an 8-4 loss to the Brewers. Joey Votto (.316, 93 Rs, 29 HRs, 76 RBIs, 11 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3. The Mets were also unsuccessful the last time Syndergaard pitched. He did not do well, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing five runs and striking out eight in a 5-0 loss to the Yankees. Yoenis Cespedes (.292, 99 Rs, 35 HRs, 105 RBIs, 7 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Mets, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and two RBIs.
Cincinnati, a +115 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against New York. The matchup currently has an eight-run Over/Under (O/U). The Reds have a losing record of 34-63 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -2,325. They have been a terror on the base paths, leading all of baseball with 131 steals. Below average play has been the norm lately for the Cincinnati pitchers. The Reds have given up an average of 5.7 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 4.5 runs per game.
On the other side, the Mets have a nice record of 68-30 when they are favored and are +923 overall with the money line. The Mets rank fifth in the NL in road scoring, averaging four runs per game. New York is one of the top road hitting teams in the NL with an average of 8.9 hits per contest. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have the fifth-lowest ERA in the NL at 3.52. They have a WHIP of 1.19 on the year, good for third in the league.
So far this season, the Mets are 4-0 against the Reds. The Reds will take on a right-hander (Syndergaard) in this game and have a 49-66 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Mets will be the right-hander DeSclafani. They sport a 69-52 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM, O/U – Over
Notes
The Reds are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Mets have a 14-22 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Reds are 11-64. The Mets have an 18-55 record when opponents outhit them.
Cincinnati ranks in the top half of the league at 11th when it comes to home runs, hitting 163 this season. New York ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 164.
Ranking 12th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.38 per game. Cincinnati ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.58.
Ranking 21st, New York is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.715). Cincinnati ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .718.
The Mets are 40-50 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Reds are 30-67 when they allow at least one homer.
