Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. New York Mets, May 11

Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. New York Mets, May 11

1. Probable starting pitchers
2. Cincinnati Reds starting lineup
3. Which Cincinnati Reds player needs to bounce back in today's game?
4. Which Cincinnati Reds player will be the X-factor in today's game?

Probable starting pitchers

Thank goodness Justin Verlander isn't back on the mound today. The New York Mets starter allowed just one run during the first inning of last night's game and that was about all the damage the Cincinnati Reds could muster.

Today, Reds manager David Bell will turn to Derek Law to begin the game. However, don't expect Law to remain in the game much past the second inning. Instead, look for Ben Lively to make his Reds debut. Lively was a former draft pick of Cincinnati several years and has come full circle.

The Mets will counter with Kodai Senga. The right-hander from Japan has been impressive in his rookie season. Senga is 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched. It's not going to be an easy afternoon for the Reds hitters.

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup

Of course, Jonathan India will be leading things off for the ole Redlegs today. He'll be followed by centerfielder TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer. Jake Fraley will be in left field today and batting in the cleanup spot.

Tyler Stephenson will be the team's DH and be followed by Nick Senzel and Henry Ramos. Kevin Newman gets the start in place of Jose Barrero and Curt Casali will be behind the plate today.

Which Cincinnati Reds player needs to bounce back in today's game?

The Cincinnati Reds recorded just two hits through the entire game on Wednesday night, so this could get very long. But Henry Ramos may need a deceny showing today or else he may be headed back to Triple-A.

Ramos had hit well during the first handful of games after his call-up, but of late, the switch-hitting outfielder has struggled. Ramos is 3 for his last 26 with two walks and nine strikeouts.

Which Cincinnati Reds player will be the X-factor in today's game?

The X-factor in today's game should be pretty easy to identify - it's Ben Lively. The right-hander was the Cincinnati Reds fourth-round draft pick in 2013. Here we are nearly 10 years later and Lively will finally toe the rubber for the Reds.

Lively had a solid performance at Triple-A last season, but suffered an injury near the end of the season that kept him from joining the team in September. So far this season at Triple-A Louisville, Lively is 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA.