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

The suddenly-hot Cincinnati Reds visit the Big Apple to battle the Mets.

It’s only Friday, and it’s already been quite a week for the Cincinnati Reds. First of all, the Reds (54-49) took 3-of-4 from the slumping Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, giving the Redlegs a 5-2  record over their past seven games. Next, in the span of little more than 12 hours, the team acquired three arms for the bullpen by trading for Luis Cessa, Mychal Givens, and Justin Wilson.

Finally, Joey Votto has hit more homers than Quaker has oats. Cincinnati’s legendary first baseman smacked six homers in four games at the Friendly Confines, single-handedly dismantling the North Siders on their home turf. The 37-year-old slugger has left the yard in six consecutive games, and seven of his last eight hits have cleared the fences.

Entering play this evening, the Redlegs find themselves seven games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the race for the National League Central’s top prize. Additionally, Cincinnati trails the San Diego Padres by five games for the final Wild Card position in the senior circuit.

Luckily for the New York Mets (54-47), they play in a division that no team shows any real interest in winning. The Mets are currently the only club above .500 in the National League East, leading the Philadelphia Phillies by 3.5 games in the division.

While the Metropolitans have largely been treading water for the better part of a month, going 15-15 over their past 30 games, they do enjoy playing in the city that never sleeps. New York is an outstanding 32-18 when playing in Gotham City.

Last week, the Mets took two of three from the Redlegs at Great American Ball Park, beating up on a much different looking bullpen and less than stellar starting pitching. Don’t look for things to go as easily for the New Yorkers this weekend.