John Lamb (1-3, 4.60 ERA) and Matt Harvey (12-7, 2.80 ERA) start in the third of a four-game series between the Cincinnati Reds (63-90) and the New York Mets (87-67) at the Great American Ball Park. The Reds lost the last game 12-5, continuing a six-game losing streak. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep. 26 and can be seen on FSOH and SNY.
Lamb pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs, striking out six and walking one in a 2-1 defeat to the Cardinals. Joey Votto (.315, 94 Rs, 29 HRs, 77 RBIs, 11 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI. Harvey went 5.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out seven and walking one in an 11-2 defeat to the Yankees in his most recent start. Yoenis Cespedes (.294, 100 Rs, 35 HRs, 105 RBIs, 7 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Mets, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
New York takes on Cincinnati as a -155 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Reds have recorded an overall money line of -2,325 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 34-63. Cincinnati leads the MLB in steals, swiping 131 bases. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 5.7 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.5.
In the other locker room, New York is coming in with an overall money line of +923 and an impressive record of 68-30 as the favorite. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is fourth in the NL. The Mets are tough outs for opponents, ranking fourth in the NL with 9.0 hits per road game. New York’s pitching staff is one of the top in the NL, with a 3.52 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Mets are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.19 for the season.
The Mets lead the season series, 5-0. The Reds have a 49-66 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Harvey takes the mound. Lamb (LHP) will be on the hill against the Mets, who have a 17-15 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
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 15-22 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
The Mets are coming into the game with two consecutive wins, while the Reds currently have a losing streak of six.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 48-17. The Mets have a 62-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 23rd in runs, Cincinnati has earned 622 this season. New York ranks 14th with 655 runs.
Cincinnati and New York both rank in the top 10 of the league in walks. Cincinnati sits at eighth with 480 this season and New York ranks 10th with 463.
When the Reds hit at least one home run, they are 54-45. When the Mets hit at least one homer, they have a 60-28 record.
