Series Preview: Mets Begin Second Half Against Reds

The New York Mets (55-42) will begin the second half with a half-game deficit in the National League East behind the Philadelphia Phillies. After a 12-15 June, they have started to trend in the right direction, winning seven of their last 12 games. With the July 31 trade deadline looming, the Mets’ roster could look much different in a few weeks, but that’s a topic for another day.

Their first opponent coming out of the All-Star break is the Cincinnati Reds (50-47), who are 2 1/2 games out of the third Wild Card spot in the NL. It’s no surprise that the young team has taken a step forward under Terry Francona, a two-time World Series-winning manager. They are led by shortstop Elly De La Cruz, an All-Star for the second consecutive season.

Let’s take a look at some notes ahead of the three pitching matchups.

PITCHING MATCHUPS

• Friday: Nick Lodolo (6-6, 3.38 ERA) vs. Sean Manaea (0-1, 2.70 ERA): Lodolo is enjoying the best season of his career. He is well on his way to setting career-highs in starts and innings pitched. Lodolo is on a good run as well, pitching to a 2.28 ERA over his last five starts. Keep an eye out for the home run ball, though, as he’s allowed at least one in six of his last seven outings. Lodolo has not faced the Mets since July 2022. Manaea looked like his normal self last Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. In 3 1/3 innings of relief, he allowed one run on five hits while striking out seven in his season debut. While he did take the loss, it was a win to see Manaea be as sharp as he was. He will pitch at Citi Field for the first time this year in the series opener.
• Saturday: Nick Martinez (7-9, 4.78 ERA) vs. Clay Holmes (8-4, 3.31 ERA): No pitcher has come closer to a no-hitter than Martinez in 2025. Against his former club in the San Diego Padres on June 27, he was three outs away from completing one. Martinez began the top of the ninth by allowing a leadoff walk before giving up a double. In his three starts since, Martinez has pitched to a 8.47 ERA across 17 innings. For the rest of the season, how often Holmes pitches and for how long will be interesting to monitor. He is now over 100 innings pitched for the year. The most he had ever thrown prior was in 2021 when he got up to 70, all as a reliever. Holmes has struggled a bit in July, pitching to a 5.28 ERA across 15 1/3 frames.
• Sunday: Andrew Abbott (8-1, 2.07 ERA) vs. David Peterson (6-4, 3.06 ERA): Hunter Greene‘s injury woes have opened the door for Abbott to cement himself at the top of the Reds’ rotation. Since the start of May, he is a remarkable 6-1 with a 1.77 ERA. The Reds are also 12-4 when Abbott starts this season. The first-time All-Star is giving up 1.0 home runs per nine and 2.4 walks per nine, both career-highs and major factors in his success. Like Abbott, Peterson was also a first-time All-Star this year. He has been the workhorse in the Mets’ rotation, stepping up in the prior absences of Kodai Senga, Frankie Montas and Manaea. After allowing five earned runs in back-to-back starts to end June, Peterson finished the first half with two straight quality starts.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

David Wright is the story. This weekend will not only be special for him and his family, but the whole fanbase as well. Wright is and will always be a Mets legend. His impact, both on and off the field, will always be remembered. Injuries derailed the backend of his career, leaving fans with the thought of: what if he was able to play more often in his mid to late 30s? There will be time for that conversation to continue, but not this weekend. This is an opportunity to celebrate one of the greatest Mets ever. Let’s do that.

Most of you have probably seen the video. If not, what could happen this weekend may come as a surprise. Wright’s number will be retired on Saturday, but could that also be the day in which Francisco Lindor is named the fifth captain in franchise history? Let’s see. That was certainly a talking point throughout the offseason. I think there is a possibility this is how it will go down.

PREDICTION

This weekend is going to be memorable for the entire franchise. I think the team comes out of the break ready to go, recognizing the moment with everything surrounding Wright. The Reds are a good team, but this weekend is about the Mets, who will take two of three.

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