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

ByScott 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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Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds slams his bat after striking out.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 29: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds slams his bat after striking out. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

It’s been a tough month for the Reds’ All-Star outfielder.

The first three months of the season included a lot of chatter about Jesse Winker being a potential MVP candidate, and rightfully so. On June 19th Winker was slashing .344/.416/.619 with an incredible 1.035 OPS.

Needless to say, the MVP talk has cooled substantially. Over his past 30 games, the left-handed hitting slugger is slashing an unsightly .202/.300/.316 with just two round-trippers and 12 RBIs. As a result, his overall slash line has been reduced to .292/.373/.521 with a .869 OPS.

Jesse Winker is simply too good of a hitter not to emerge from this slump, and he has history on his side. Throughout his career, August has been Da Wink’s best month. His 15 long balls and slash line of .333/.429/.644 easily outdistances any other month of the season for the 27-year-old.

If the Reds are going to fight back in the division race, they will need to see the Jesse Winker, who was hitting everything in sight through the middle of June, reemerge. Combine that Winker with his usual August magic, and the Redlegs should have another run left in them to make a charge for the postseason.

Prediction

It’s a battle of two teams heading in the same direction as they cling to their playoff dreams. Fortunately, the Mets struggle to score runs, and their rotation is currently in complete disarray as they hit the Queen City.

As a result, look for the Reds to take two of three from the New Yorkers and look forward to the St. Louis Cardinals’ visit over the weekend as the Redlegs attempt to salvage a nine-game homestand.

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