New York @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2010 ) Cincinnati 3, NY Mets 1

THE STORY: The Cincinnati Reds have won two straight games for the first time since mid June after Drew Stubbs’ walk-off home run Sunday night. With all that has gone wrong for the Reds, they are just three games out of first place in the National League-Central as they start a four-game series at home Monday night against the New York Mets. The Reds, 27-23 at Great American Ball Park, won two of three from the Braves to start a 10-game home stand. The Mets have lost three of their last four. This is the first meeting between the teams this season. The Reds won four of six in 2010.

TV: 7:10 p.m. EST; SNY (New York), FS-Ohio (Cincinnati).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH R.A. Dickey (4-8, 3.80) vs. Reds RH Mike Leake (8-5, 4.11).

Dickey has not won since June 28. He is 0-1 since, including a no decision in his last start against St. Louis July 20 when he allowed four runs over 6 1/3 innings. Cincinnati and San Diego are the only two teams Dickey has never faced. Scott Rolen is 5-for-9 against Dickey lifetime, but the third baseman is on the disabled list.

Leake gave up two hits and one run over six innings at Pittsburgh July 19, but suffered the loss in his last start. He has struck out 73 and walked 26 in 100 2/3 innings. Leake faced the Mets the only time in his career in 2010, allowing four hits and two runs in six innings, but did not get a decision.

ABOUT THE METS (50-51): Their pitching has allowed 30 runs the last five games, but the Mets continue to put up decent numbers on offense. The leading hitter in the majors, Jose Reyes, was 7-for-16 in the recent Florida series and is batting .353 overall. David Wright, after spending two months on the disabled list, has come back strong with six hits in 14 at bats, a home run and six RBIs in three games. Carlos Beltran, likely to be traded before the deadline July 31, was 3-for-9 in the Florida series and is 8-for-21 since the all-star break with two homers and six RBIs.

ABOUT THE REDS (50-51): Cincinnati is in the top third of the majors in most offensive categories and its pitching is starting to come around. The Reds have allowed 20 runs in the last eight games. They just need their big guys to get hot again. Joey Votto is just 2-for-17 the last five games and has not homered in 11 games. Jay Bruce has gone nine games without a homer or an RBI. Brandon Phillips did pick it up, going 5-for-12 with four RBIs in the series against Atlanta after a 2-for-28 stretch. Stubbs was 4-for-11, with two homers against the Braves.

FINAL PITCH: The Reds put rookie shortstop Zack Cozart on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left elbow. Cozart, 12-for-37 in his first 11 major league games, was injured trying to make a tag Saturday. Shortstop Paul Janish was recalled to take his place on the roster.