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

The Reds must do a better job in containing slugger Pete Alonso.

The New York Mets entered the Queen City last week as one of the worst-hitting teams in the National League. However, three games and 25 runs later, the Reds’ pitching staff did their best to boost the Metropolitans’ confidence.

Although I’m sure manager David Bell and pitching coach Derek Johnson are avid readers of Blog Red Machine, the Cincinnati brain trust refused to heed my warning of not allowing the one person capable of beating them in the Mets lineup to do exactly that.

First baseman Pete Alonso battered the Reds’ pitching staff collecting five hits, including two homers, and driving in four, allowing the Mets to capture a series victory. The 2019 NL Rookie of the Year has parlayed his excellent series in Cincinnati into a couple of fine weeks.

Over the previous 14 days entering play on Thursday, Alonso was slashing .327/.397/.654 with five long balls and 11 RBIs in 13 contests. However, the 26-year-old has struggled this season at Citi Field.

Before Thursday’s tilt with the Atlanta Braves in New York, only six of Alonso’s 22 homers have come in front of the home folks. For the season, the right-handed slugger is hitting only .234 at the spacious home ballpark.

Like most hitters, Alonso is vulnerable when he falls behind in the count. The former Florida Gator is hitting .208 when falling behind in the count 0-1 and an anemic .119 after falling behind 0-2.  My advice to pitching coach Derek Johnson is to pound the strike zone early and often to limit the potential damage Alonso can inflict.