Ny Mets Mets vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions September 7th 2024

Jose Quintana will start for the Mets on Saturday as they look to extend their eight-game winning streak. They are 77-64 overall and they are 2nd in the NL East. The Reds are 68-74 and Jakob Junis will be on the mound for them. Cincinnati is 4th in the NL Central.

The money line odds have the Mets at -157, while the Reds are sitting at +133. This game will be televised on SNY, and the over/under line is currently 8.5 runs. First pitch from Citi Field is set for 4:10 PM ET.

Cincinnati vs. New York Key Information

• Teams: Reds at Mets
• Where: Citi Field New York
• Date: Saturday, September 7th
• Betting Odds NYM -157 | CIN +133 O/U 8.5

The Reds Can Win If…

Jakob Junis is getting the start for the Reds today and has made 20 appearances this season. He has a record of 4-0 and an ERA of 3.13. Looking back at his last outing, Junis came out of the bullpen and went 3 2/3 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits. He finished with a no-decision in that outing. Junis has finished with a no-decision in each of his last three outings. Opponents are batting .224 this season off Junis, and he has a BB/9 figure of 1.17 compared to 6.65 strikeouts per nine innings.

Elly De La Cruz has been the Reds most consistent hitter this season, batting .263 with 23 homers and 65 RBIs. He has also gone deep in one of his last five games while hitting .250 over that stretch. Spencer Steer has also been a big power threat for the Reds, as he has 19 homers and 86 RBIs, but is batting just .235 for the season. However, Steer is 9/18 in his last five games.

As a team, the Reds are averaging 4.5 runs per game, which is 15th in the league. They are also 12th in home runs and have the 18th best team batting average in the league. Currently, they are 12th in walks and 23rd in strikeouts.

• The Reds are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Reds are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Cincinnati has an over/under record of 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
• The Reds have an average of 5.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Reds are 4-6
• Looking back across the Reds last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Cincinnati has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Reds have averaged 4.6 runs per game on offense

The Mets Can Win If…

Jose Quintana gets the start for the Mets today and will be looking to build off his last outing, where he picked up the win. Against the White Sox on August 31st, he went 5 innings, giving up 2 runs (1 earned), and he finished with six strikeouts. Looking back further, Quintana has made 27 starts, and his record for the season is 7-9 with a 4.27 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .243 off Quintana this season. The left-hander has a total of nine quality starts this year.

Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso have been two of the Mets’ top power threats this season, with Lindor’s 30 homers being 2nd on the team and Alonso’s 31 leading the club. Lindor also comes into the game on a 16-game hitting streak and has gone 12/37 in his last nine games, including three homers. Overall, Lindor is batting .273 for the season, and Alonso is at .240.

As a team, the Mets are 7th in scoring at 4.8 runs per game. They have been even better on the road, averaging 4.9 runs per contest. Overall, they are 5th in homers and have the league’s 9th batting average. Over the past nine games, Lindor and Mark Vientos have both hit three homers, with Vientos going 11/28 in that stretch.

• The Mets are 9-1 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Mets are 5-0 vs. the run line.
• New York has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Mets have an average of 5.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Mets are 7-3
• Looking back across the Mets last five games as the favorite, they are 5-0
• New York has gone 3-0 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Mets have averaged 4.5 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over, as this is our highest projected scoring game of the day. As for a straight-up pick, we are leaning toward the Reds to come out on top. Cincinnati’s offense is our top projected offense in the league today in terms of hits, and Jakob Junis is 4th among today’s starters in projected strikeouts.

Red-Hot Mets Eye Nine-Game Winning Streak Against the Reds

The New York Mets are on fire, riding an eight-game winning streak—their longest in five years—as they gear up to face the Cincinnati Reds in the second game of a three-game series. After a thrilling 6-4 victory on Friday, highlighted by two crucial home runs from Mark Vientos, the Mets are hungry to keep the momentum going and stay in the postseason hunt.

For fans interested in betting on the game, check out this MLB Betting Guide for insights on wagering strategies.

Mark Vientos Shines Bright

Mark Vientos has been the star of the show for the Mets during this hot streak. On Friday, he smashed two critical two-run homers, including a walk-off shot in the 10th inning that sealed the deal and extended their unbeaten run. His clutch performance has sparked the team, pushing them right back into playoff contention.

If you’re following the latest betting lines, make sure to review the MLB Odds to stay updated on the most current numbers.

Reflecting on the Mets’ resurgence, Vientos said, “I kind of mentioned it last month when we were going through that rough patch, that we’d heat up at the right time. And I think September is the perfect time to get hot.”

Mets Dominating in September

What a difference a month can make. After a shaky August where the Mets posted a 12-13 record, their fortunes turned on August 30. Since then, they’ve gone 8-0, not trailing in a game for an incredible 63 straight innings.

The Mets have outscored their opponents 45-17 during this run, thanks to stellar pitching and timely hitting. This red-hot streak couldn’t have come at a better time, with the National League playoff race tightening up.

José Quintana Takes the Hill

Veteran left-hander José Quintana will be starting for the Mets on Saturday, chasing his 100th career win. Quintana has been a steady force on the mound, most recently allowing just two runs (one earned) over five innings in a solid 5-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox on August 31. He’s also had success against the Reds in his career, boasting a 5-4 record and a sharp 2.93 ERA over 15 appearances (14 starts).

With Quintana at the helm, the Mets are in a prime position to keep their winning streak alive and tighten their grip on a wild-card spot.

Cincinnati Reds Look to Upset

Despite being out of playoff contention, the Cincinnati Reds entered this series with some swagger after sweeping the Houston Astros. Even though their four-game win streak ended with Friday’s loss, the Reds remain a scrappy team, more than capable of playing spoiler.

The Reds have been hit hard by injuries, especially in their starting rotation. Key arms like Andrew Abbott and Hunter Greene are sidelined, but this stretch of games provides Cincinnati with a valuable chance to evaluate some of their young pitchers for the future.

Jakob Junis Gets the Start for the Reds

Right-hander Jakob Junis will take the mound for the Reds on Saturday. Junis has bounced between the bullpen and starting rotation this season, and in his most recent outing, he pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing just one run in an extra-inning win against the Milwaukee Brewers. With a 3.14 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against the Mets, Junis will look to cool down New York’s red-hot offense.

What’s at Stake for the Mets?

The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Mets. Every game is crucial as they battle for a wild-card spot, tied with the Braves for that final playoff berth. The Mets’ offense, led by Vientos and supported by stars like Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, is firing on all cylinders at just the right time.

On the pitching side, the Mets haven’t let an opponent hold a lead since August 30, and they’ll rely on Quintana and their strong bullpen to keep that streak going.

Reds Focus on the Future

For the Reds, the rest of the season is all about building for the future. Manager David Bell is optimistic about the young arms stepping up in the rotation, despite the injury setbacks. On Friday, Brandon Williamson delivered a promising start, giving up just one run over 4 2/3 innings.

Bell acknowledged the challenges posed by the injuries but remains focused on the opportunity for his younger pitchers: “We didn’t want to lose any of our starters, but it’s created a chance for these guys to show what they can do. Some of them might have gotten their shot anyway because we think so highly of them.”

With the Reds’ focus on development, they’ll be looking to give more young pitchers a chance to shine as they prepare for 2025.

Players to Keep an Eye On

Mark Vientos (Mets): Vientos has been the heart of the Mets’ offense during this win streak, coming up big in clutch moments. With three multi-homer games this season, his bat has been a difference-maker.

Francisco Lindor (Mets): Lindor continues to be a leader both on and off the field. His stellar play at shortstop and timely contributions at the plate will be key as the Mets continue their push for the playoffs.

José Quintana (Mets): The veteran lefty will play a pivotal role in extending the Mets’ winning streak. His consistency and ability to keep games within reach will be vital.

Jakob Junis (Reds): Junis has had success against the Mets in the past, and with Cincinnati’s rotation depleted, he’ll be tasked with keeping New York’s lineup in check.

What to Expect in Saturday’s Game

The Mets have everything on the line as they look to push their record to 78-64 and tighten their grip on a wild-card spot. With José Quintana on the mound and Mark Vientos continuing his hot streak at the plate, they’ve got a great chance to extend their winning streak to nine games.

For the Reds, while their playoff hopes are dashed, there’s still plenty to play for. They have the opportunity to throw a wrench in the Mets’ plans while getting valuable experience for their younger players. Despite a depleted rotation, Cincinnati’s young pitchers have been stepping up, and the chance to play spoiler adds an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.

Final Thoughts

The Mets are riding a wave of momentum, but they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas as they face the Reds in the second game of the series. With Quintana aiming for his 100th career win and the Mets trying to extend their winning streak, Saturday’s game promises plenty of excitement.

All eyes will be on Citi Field as the Mets fight to solidify their postseason position, while the Reds look to develop their young talent and potentially spoil New York’s run.