8/8/18 Game Preview: Cincinnati Reds at New York Mets

The New York Mets (46-65) had a late night yesterday. Mother Nature unleashed a down pour just after first pitch of the Mets’ game with the Cincinnati Reds (50-64), sparing Mets’ fans from watching Jason Vargas but not soon enough to avoid the hole Vargas put them in over the course of his 14 pitches. The Mets ended up losing 6-1, allowing the Reds to even the series at a game a piece, and will look to secure the rubber game this afternoon. First pitch for the matinee affair is scheduled for 12:10 pm at Citi Field.

The Mets will send their ace, right hander Jacob deGrom (5-7, 1.85 ERA) to the mound today. deGrom was great again in his last start, allowing two runs in eight innings against the Atlanta Braves last Friday, but was stuck with another brutal loss when the offense only scored one run (which deGrom drove in himself). The Reds will counter with righty Robert Stephenson (5-6, 4.68 ERA in 2017). This will be Stephenson’s 2018 debut after he started the campaign in AAA Louisville, earning a promotion by going 6-0 with a 1.23 ERA over his last seven starts.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

1. SS Amed Rosario
2. 2B Jeff McNeil
3. 1B Wilmer Flores
4. LF Michael Conforto
5. 3B Jose Bautista
6. RF Brandon Nimmo
7. CF Austin Jackson
8. C Devin Mesoraco
9. SP Jacob deGrom

Pre-Game Notes:

• deGrom is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three career starts against the Reds.
• Stephenson is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in two career starts against the Mets.
• Todd Frazier will get the day off today. Jose Bautista will start at third base and bat fifth.
• After sitting out last night, Austin Jackson will start in center field today and bat seventh.
• Reds’ second baseman Scooter Gennett has had notable success against deGrom, going 5 for 16 with two doubles, a home run, and three RBI’s in his career against the Mets’ ace.
• This is the final meeting of the season between the Mets and Reds. The Reds lead the season series 3-2 entering today, so the best the Mets can do is salvage a split.