Series Preview: Red-Hot Mets Finish Homestand Against Cincinnati

The New York Mets (76-64) are now in the home stretch of the season, making every game so important. Their next task will be to take care of business at home against the Cincinnati Reds (68-73), who have won four-consecutive games. The margin for error is so slim, and winning the games you are supposed to will be key in the race for a playoff spot.

Before we get to the upcoming series, let’s take a look at what happened earlier this week.

Mets Extend Winning Streak To Seven With Sweep Of Boston

It appears the Mets are hitting their stride at the most important time of the year. Their hot streak continued this week, taking each of their three games against the Boston Red Sox. The Mets held their offense in check, allowing a total of six runs throughout the series. With the race in the National League going down to the wire, any slip up could be costly. The Mets showed no let up, displaying their dominance against another team fighting for the playoffs. A second-straight sweep has given the Mets the longest active winning streak in baseball.

What’s The Story?

The National League Wild Card race has changed significantly in the last week. Seven days ago, the Mets were three games out of the final spot. That gap has quickly evaporated, however, as the Mets are now tied with the Braves as action continues Friday. The Mets not only have taken care of their own business, but also gotten help elsewhere. In addition to making up ground on Atlanta, the team has closed the gap on the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres. The Mets are now 2 1/2 games behind the Diamondbacks and three behind the Padres.

Despite what their overall record suggests, the Reds are coming into this series high on confidence. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the first-place Houston Astros, capped by a 1-0 victory on Thursday afternoon. The Reds’ playoff hopes are nonexistent, but the motivation to finish above .500 and play spoiler still exists. The Mets will not see any of their top three starters, as Andrew Abbott, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo are all on the injured list. That being said, this weekend series will still test the Mets.

PITCHING MATCHUPS

• Friday: Fernando Cruz (3-8, 4.99 ERA) vs. Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.35 ERA): Cruz has operated as an opener in his recent outings after being utilized as a high-leverage reliever for most of the season. In 63 appearances, he has recorded a team-high 22 holds. Cruz has thrown 42 pitches in each of his starts to this point. Manaea is at the top of his game right now, throwing seven innings in four of his last six starts. The Mets have had plenty of success with him on the mound, winning seven of the last eight games he has started. Manaea is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three career appearances against the Reds.
• Saturday: TBD vs. Jose Quintana (7-9, 4.27 ERA): The Reds are going with a bullpen game on Friday and there is a possibility for the same on Saturday. If the team does decide to name a starter, Brandon Williamson, Jakob Junis and Carson Spiers could be called upon. Quintana has looked strong over his last two starts, allowing just one earned run across 11 1/3 innings. The veteran is 5-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 15 career appearances (14 starts) against the Reds.
• Sunday: Julian Aguiar (1-0, 6.48 ERA) vs. Luis Severino (10-6, 3.84 ERA): Aguiar is coming off the shortest outing of his brief big league career. On Monday, he gave up two runs on two hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Astros. Aguiar’s season-high in pitches is 91, which came back on Aug. 24 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Severino had bounced back in recent weeks, pitching to a 2.10 ERA over his last four outings. The right-hander has thrived at Citi Field, going 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 14 home starts this season.

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