New York @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 17, 2012 ) Cincinnati 3, NY Mets 1
The absence of All-Star first baseman Joey Votto has failed to slow down the Cincinnati Reds, who have won 19 of 27 games without the injured 2010 National League MVP to boost their lead in the NL Central to five games over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds have won three in a row on the heels of a five-game losing streak to move ahead of Pittsburgh for the best home record (36-20) in the majors as they prepare to host the New York Mets for a three-game set beginning Tuesday night.
Votto's absence has been minimized by the play of outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who has six homers and 20 RBIs in the last 15 games. The slumping Mets face a brutal six-game road trip that features three-game sets against division leaders Cincinnati and Washington. However, getting out of town might not be the worst thing for New York, which posted only its second home win in 13 games in Sunday and is 9-21 in its last 30 games overall.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSNO (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Chris Young (3-6, 4.87 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mat Latos (10-3, 3.81)
Young is coming off an ugly performance in his last start, when he was battered for a season-worst seven runs and surrendered three homers in 4 1/3 innings of a 13-0 loss to Miami. Young is 1-5 and has been tagged for nine homers in his last seven starts, failing to get through the fifth inning three times. He gave up three runs and nine hits in seven innings against the Mets on June 17.
Another stellar performance by Latos went for naught last time out. He gave up one run on three hits in seven innings, only to see the bullpen blow the lead and cost him a fourth consecutive winning start. Latos has allowed only five runs and 19 hits in 27 1/3 innings over his last four starts, and is 10-1 since April 18. He is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA in four career starts against the Mets.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Reds have won four of five matchups against the Mets this year, limiting New York to three runs or fewer in all four wins.
2. Mets 3B David Wright is batting .351 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs in 51 games against Cincinnati.
3. Reds closer Aroldis Chapman owns a scoreless streak of 21 2/3 innings and has converted 20 consecutive saves.