Reds vs Mets Preview: Week 61 Showdown

Cincinnati just stomped the Mets 7-2 on Monday night. The Reds' bats came alive early with wild pitches, home runs, and clutch hits that built a mountain they never looked back from. Bleday smashed a 409-foot bomb to right-center. Stephenson launched a 367-footer over the wall. The Reds sit at 28-25 and are riding a 2-game winning streak. They're hoping Chase Burns can keep this train rolling on Tuesday at Citi Field. New York's bats need to wake up fast or this could get ugly.

The Mets are 22-32 and falling. They've lost four straight games. Juan Soto is out with the flu. That's a huge problem. Your ace slugger can't help from the bench. The Mets have to figure out how to score runs without their best hitter in the lineup.

Chase Burns is Cincinnati's probable pitcher for Tuesday. He's stepping in during a tough time for the Reds' rotation. Hunter Greene is recovering from elbow surgery and won't return until around July. Rhett Lowder is still working his way back from shoulder issues. Emilio Pagán in the bullpen is dealing with a hamstring strain. The Reds' pitching depth is thin right now. Burns has to be sharp against a Mets lineup that needs to prove something after getting pounded. If he gives up early runs, the Mets might finally break through and get some momentum of their own.

The good news for Cincinnati? Their offense is hot. The bad news? The Mets can't ignore what just happened to them at home. Citi Field should be loud and hungry.

The Mets are banged up. Francisco Lindor, their smooth-fielding shortstop, is on the injured list with a calf strain. He's started running but won't be back until June. Luis Robert Jr. in center field is also sidelined with back issues. Francisco Alvarez behind the plate just had knee surgery. Jorge Polanco at second base is dealing with an Achilles problem. That's a lot of missing talent. Nick Morabito and Carson Benge got starts Monday with Soto out. The question is simple: Can role players step up enough to keep games close? The Mets need someone to explode and prove they can win without their stars.

Cincinnati's injury list is also serious, but the Reds found a way to win anyway.