The Mets and Reds play the third game of their three-game series on Wednesday, June 17.
New York is a -131 moneyline favorite, while Cincinnati is +108 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at over/under nine runs.
Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Mets vs. Reds game.
Mets vs. Reds prediction, preview
The Mets’ season has been miserable, and it didn’t get any better against the Reds. They lost 12-0 in the first game of the series and 5-3 in game two. Even a win in game three would result in a lost series as New York digs itself deeper into last place of the NL East. There’s some hope for the club on Wednesday because Nolan McLean is starting, but that’s all there is for the Mets to look forward to.
McLean has had excellent starts in his second MLB season, but he’s been on a downward trajectory since the start of May. The 24-year-old had a 2.55 ERA at the end of April, and now he has a 4.01 ERA in mid-June. While it may be exciting to see the young pitcher on the mound, the results haven’t been as enjoyable in recent starts. With Cincinnati having no issue scoring runs this series, McLean may get tagged for a handful in his third start of the month.
Beside the hope that McLean can churn out a good performance, the Mets are looking to capitalize on Nick Lodolo’s struggles. The left-hander has a 5.21 ERA through 38 innings this season, allowing at least three earned runs in five of seven starts. It’s a similar situation to Tuesday’s game when the Mets faced Brady Singer, but the Mets only scored three runs (only one vs. Singer) in the loss.
Mets vs. Reds Pick, Best Bet
The home team is once again the underdog despite winning the first two games of the season. In April, I would trust McLean to get it done. Now it’s mid-June, and a lot has changed. A sweep is imminent.
