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Reds vs. Mets: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

By Scott Boyken

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds hits the game winning home run in the ninth inning as Wilson Ramos #40 of the New York Mets defends at Citi Field on April 29, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.The Cincinnati Reds defeated the New York Mets 5-4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds hits the game winning home run in the ninth inning as Wilson Ramos #40 of the New York Mets defends at Citi Field on April 29, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.The Cincinnati Reds defeated the New York Mets 5-4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches in the second inning.
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 7: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches in the second inning. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

The top of the Mets rotation has been spectacular.

While Jacob deGrom dominates the headlines regarding the Mets rotation, and rightfully so, the other two starters directly behind him have been impressive as well. Unfortunately for Mets’ fans, the club’s ace was placed on the 10-day IL yesterday with soreness in his right forearm.

Fellow right-handers Marcus Stroman and Tijuan Walker have helped establish a devastating 1-2-3 punch for the Mets. As play began yesterday, Stroman has compiled an excellent 2.79 ERA in 19 starts. In comparison, Walker has contributed a 2.50 ERA in 90 innings largely by limiting opponents to just six homers on the season.

New York manager Luis Rojas will need all of that and more from Stroman and Walker as injuries are piling up in the Big Apple.  In addition to deGrom landing on the IL, left-handers Joey Lucchesi and David Peterson, who have combined to make 23 starts the season, will be lost for significant periods.

The Mets have needed every bit of the outstanding starting pitching because the offense has struggled consistently to score runs. Their average of 3.76 runs per contest is the second-worst mark in the National League, just above the anemic Pirate offense.

Across the board, the Mets sit comfortably below the league average .238/.317/.397 slash line.  As a team, New York is slashing a paltry .230/.311/.375, and their 91 round-trippers places them 12th in the senior circuit.

First baseman Pete Alonso paces the Mets offense with a team-leading 17 homers and 49 RBIs. So the strategy for Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson should be fairly simple this series. Make someone other than the former All-Star and Rookie of the Year beat you.

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