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

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Mets

Cincinnati Reds starter Justin Dunn vs. New York Mets starter Chris Bassitt

It's been a long time coming, but Justin Dunn makes his Cincinnati Reds debut tonight as he opposes Chris Bassitt (8-7 3.61 ERA) of the Mets. Acquired from the Seattle Mariners in the deal that sent Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker to the Pacific Northwest, the right-hander has been battling a shoulder injury since last year.

A former first-round selection of the Mets in the 2016 MLB Draft, Dunn was 5-4 lifetime with a 3.94 ERA in 25 starts as a member of the Mariners. The 26-year-old Boston College alum was traded to Seattle in the December 2018 deal that saw the Mets acquire Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz.

Mets' starter Chris Bassitt is in the midst of his best stretch of the 2022 season. Over his last seven starts, the right-hander has compiled a 2.96 ERA in 45.2 innings, and just as impressive, he's gone at least six frames in each of those outings.

Cincinnati Reds starter Mike Minor vs. New York Mets starter Carlos Carrasco

Mike Minor (1-8 6,19 ERA) looks for his elusive second victory as he toes the rubber Tuesday night facing Carlos Carrasco (12-4 3.82 ERA) for Buck Showalter's club. Even though his record does not reflect it, the Cincinnati southpaw has pitched better of late.

Minor has surrendered three earned runs or less in three of his last four appearances. Additionally, he's seeking his first win over the Mets since August 28, 2014, when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves. In his last three starts versus New York, the 34-year-old left-hander has yielded four runs in 15 frames.

Carlos Carrasco and the Redlegs need no introduction. The former Cleveland hurler has dominated Cincinnati throughout his career posting a 2-0 record with an impressive 2.30 ERA in 27.1 innings covering five starts.

However, someone forgot to tell Cincinnati Reds legend Joey Votto who has been impervious to the right-hander's mastery. Cincinnati's future Hall of Famer is 6-for-16 in their meetings with a homer and two doubles.

Cincinnati Reds starter TBD vs. New York Mets starter Tijuan Walker

Wednesday's matinee series finale will feature Taijuan Walker (9-3 3.45 ERA) in the starring role for the Metropolitans. David Bell has yet to name a starter for the Reds to close out the series.

Walker was excellent against the Reds last month in GABP as he limited Cincinnati to three runs in six frames while compiling 9 K's. The only blemish on the right-hander's performance that evening was a three-run gopher off the bat of former Reds infielder Brandon Drury.