Game Preview: Reds vs Mets

There was no slowing down the Mets last night while they took the opener of the series against the Reds! Now the Mets try to take the series tonight behind Carlos Carrasco as he takes on Mike Minor.

Starling Marte got the party started early last night with a two run homer in the first inning and the Mets never looked back. Chris Bassitt threw eight innings of one run ball, giving the bullpen some much needed rest and Adam Ottavino pitched a scoreless ninth inning to give Díaz a breather.

Carlos Carrasco has thrown 117 2/3 innings over 21 starts this season posting a 3.82 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 1.283 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. Before his last start, he had three consecutive starts where he allowed no runs (18 2/3 innings) from 15 hits and six walks while striking out 14 batters. His last time out he kept a very good Braves lineup to only three runs from four hits and a walk in a game the Mets won 6-4. The Reds have the following career numbers against Carrasco:

Mike Moustakas 3-25, 2B, 4 BB, 7 K
Joey Votto 6-16, 2 2B, HR, 4 BB, 4 K
Austin Romine 2-10, 2B, 4 K
Kyle Farmer 0-4, K
Matt Reynolds 0-3, 2 K
Jonathan India 1-1, HR, BB
Nick Senzel 0-2, K

It’s worth noting that both Moustakas and India left yesterday’s game with leg injuries. The general vibe, at least this morning, was that both were precautionary moves.

The Mets bats will get a look at Mike Minor tonight. Over 56 2/3 innings in 11 starts, Minor has a 6.19 ERA, 6.57 FIP, 1.571 WHIP and a 74 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed five runs over 10 2/3 innings from nine hits and six walks while striking out two (4.22 ERA, 5.36 FIP). Homeruns are crushing Minor this year. He’s already given up 16. For comparison he gave up 26 over 158 2/3 innings last year. Thus his homerun rate per nine innings is at a career worst 2.5, way about his career average at 1.3. The Mets have the following career numbers against him: