Reds chase series victory in 'must-win' game vs. Mets

The Cincinnati Reds can end their nine-game homestand on a positive note when they conclude a three-game series against the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon.

A win Sunday not only would give the Reds (71-71) the series victory over the Mets (76-66), but it also would give them the season series, 4-2. That could be crucial if the two teams end up tied in the National League wild-card standings.

New York, which resides in the third wild-card spot, has a five-game lead over Cincinnati in the standings. In addition, the Reds have the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks standing between them and the final NL postseason spot.

"Every game from now on is a must-win," said Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides, who filled in as manager for an ill Terry Francona on Saturday.

While the Reds lost two of three to both the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays to start the homestand and are just 3-8 in their last 11 games, second baseman Matt McLain has shown promise at the plate recently.

McLain homered in Saturday's 6-3 win to extend his hitting streak to nine games, one shy of matching his season-best run. During his current streak, McLain is 11-for-27 with three homers, six RBIs and eight runs.

Hunter Greene (5-4, 2.70 ERA) will start for the Reds in Sunday's rubber match of the series.

After missing more than two months due to a right groin strain, the right-hander has a 2.66 ERA with 28 strikeouts to three walks in 23 2/3 innings over four games. The Reds have won three of those games, although Greene's record is just 1-1 in that span.

Greene is 0-2 with a 4.84 ERA in four career starts against the Mets, although most of that is due to giving up six runs over 5 1/3 innings in his first appearance versus them on July 4, 2022.

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo has enjoyed the best success against Greene, although it's been two years since they have faced each other. Nimmo is 5-for-9 (.556) with a homer and four RBIs in their matchups.

Pete Alonso is just 2-for-9. However, both hits were homers.

The Mets will counter on Sunday with another of their young pitching prospects on Sunday as Brandon Sproat is scheduled to make his major league debut.

While his overall record with Triple-A Syracuse was 8-6 with a 4.24 ERA this season, the 24-year-old right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.41 ERA over his last 14 games. He gave up 46 hits and 29 walks over 68-2/3 innings in those appearances while posting 75 strikeouts.

Jonah Tong made his second career start in Saturday's 6-3 loss in Cincinnati. He allowed only three hits in six innings, but they all went over the fence.

Nolan McLean, who has won his first four starts, is slated to pitch Monday's opener in Philadelphia.

"We keep talking about having these three young kids pitching at this level and where we're at in the season and the meaning of every game," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "And here they are."

--Field Level Media