Donnie Barrels and the Reds try to take a bite out of the Mets in the Big Apple

Following the All-Star break, the only team hotter than your Cincinnati Reds (44-63) are the National League Central Division-leading St. Louis Cardinals. After taking two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend, the Reds are 10-6 since the Midsummer Classic and have not dropped a series.

Entering play today, the Reds are a half-game in front of the Pittsburgh Pirates for third-place in the division. However, after capturing series victories from the Miami Marlins and the aforementioned Brewers last week, the road trip will offer its most difficult test over the next three days as the Reds visit Citi Field to take on the New York Mets (70-39) .

There's no debating the impressive weekend the Redlegs had, but the Mets sent a clear message to the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves that the 2022 National League East title goes through Queens. During a rare five-game set in the Big Apple, the Metropolitans were victorious in four of those contests and have opened a comfortable 6.5-game lead over the Braves.

Can Donovan Solano and the Reds keep their hot-streak alive vs. the Mets?

This Mets club will look slightly different than the one the Reds saw earlier this summer. At the trade deadline, they acquired Darin Ruf from the San Francisco Giants as well as Daniel Vogelbach, formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Of course, the Mets welcomed former Reds outfielder Tyler Naquin in a July 28th deal, and he's immediately produced dividends with two homers and a .348 average in 23 at-bats.

New York took two of three from the Reds in early July at Great American Ball Park. Additionally, Citi Field has not been the kindest of hosts for the Reds in recent years. Cincinnati will be looking to capture their first series in the borough of Queens since the 2018 campaign as well as their first season series victory over the Mets in nine years.