MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Reds, 6:40 P.M.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022 • 6:40 P.M.
Great American Ball Park• Cincinnati, OH
RHP Max Scherzer (5-1, 2.54 ERA) vs. LHP Nick Lodolo (1-2, 5.52 ERA)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM

The Mets won their 50th game of the season yesterday, taking the series opener from the Cincinnati Reds 7-4 on July 4. The end of the game was important for the Mets.

Edwin Díaz wasn’t available last night as the Mets have used him a lot recently. Seth Lugo came on and allowed a hit, and nothing else in the ninth to lock down the win.

Max Scherzer returns to the mound for the Mets today for the first time since May 18 when he injured his oblique.

Mets Lineup

Mad Max returns to the mound tonight as the Mets try to win another in Cincinnati! #LGM pic.twitter.com/Ybbnd0breQ

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) July 5, 2022

For a second straight game, the Mets bats will get their first look at a rookie starting pitcher for the Reds.

Nick Lodolo will make his fourth major league start today. Over his first three starts, he has allowed nine runs from 14 2 /3 innings (5.52 ERA) coming from 18 hits and five walks. He has also struck out 19 batters over this stretch and allowed three homers. Most of the damage was done over his first two starts where he allowed eight runs over nine innings. In his third major league start, back on April 24, he held the Cardinals to one run over 5 2/3 innings.

After that start in late April, the Reds revealed that Nick was actually pitching injured with tightness on his side, and he landed on the injured list. The Reds are using caution with their young pitcher, who is one of the top arms in their system.

Reds Lineup

Nick Lodolo returns to the mound

Powered by @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/HuHOwOBAhj

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 5, 2022

Today is the day though that Mets fans have been waiting for: the return of Max Scherzer to the mound!

Before landing on the injured list, Scherzer made eight starts and pitched 49 2/3 innings with a 2.54 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 0.946 WHIP and a 160 ERA+. Scherzer faced the Reds last year as both a National and a Dodger. With Washington, he allowed two runs over seven innings from five hits while striking out nine. Then in September, he allowed no runs from two hits over seven innings while striking out seven.

The Reds have the following career numbers against Scherzer:

• Mike Moustakas 6-39, 2B, HR, BB, 12 K
• Joey Votto 5-20, 2 2B, HR, 5 BB, 7 K
• Tommy Pham 3-20, 2B, BB, 9 K
• Brandon Drury 1-8, BB, 3 K
• Jonathan India 1-5, BB, K
• Matt Reynolds 0-3, 2 K

Game Notes

Max Scherzer was reinstated from the injured list ahead of Tuesday’s game. In a corresponding move, the team designated for assignment reliever Chasen Shreve.

Let’s go Mets!

The post MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Reds, 6:40 P.M. first appeared on Metsmerized Online.