Game Preview: Reds vs Mets

The Mets look to make it two in a row today and take the opener of the series as they welcome the Reds to town. Yesterday the Mets avoided a sweep thanks to a stellar performance by Steven Matz who dominated all day. His only mistake was a 2-run homer in the 7th inning that tied the game and the bats bailed him out immediately tacking on a run in the bottom of the 7th and two runs in the 8th. Then Lugo came in and struck out the side and Diaz had a 1-2-3 9th to close the door.

Zack Wheeler gets the start for the Amazin’s today. He’s 2-2 over 5 starts and 29.2 innings with a 4.85 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 1.348 WHIP and 82 ERA+. He is coming off of an amazing start where he shutout the Phillies over 7.0 innings while striking out 11 and provided most of the early offense in that game. Overall in his last three starts he has a 2.25 ERA over 20.0 innings with 24 K’s. Wheeler made one start against the Reds last year holding them to 1 run off 4 hits and 3 walks over 6.0 innings. The reads have the following numbers against him:

Derek Dietrich 4-18, 3B, 2 BB, 10 K
Alex Wood 0-5, 3 K
Tanner Roark 1-4, 2 K
Matt Kemp 1-3, K
Jose Peraza 1-2, BB
Yasiel Puig 1-3, K
Joey Votto 1-3, 2 K

The Mets get a look at the new Reds pitcher, but old foe, Tanner Roark who was traded to the Reds this off-season and is having his best season since 2016. In 5 starts and 25.0 innings he has posted a 3.24 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 1.600 WHIP and 140 ERA+. Without reading too much into his game logs, I imagine his high WHIP is leading to lots of pitches thrown and early exits despite effective performance. In his last three starts he has tossed 15.2 innings with 14 K’s and 6 BB’s while posting a 1.72 ERA (despite opponents hitting .271 against him). Tanner started against the Mets 5 times last year pitching 30.0 innings allowing 13 runs leading to a 3.90 ERA. The Mets have the following numbers against him: