Nick Lodolo takes the rubber looking to complete a series sweep for Cincinnati, but his 5.21 ERA raises real questions about sustainability. Lodolo's four-pitch mix — fastball, curveball, changeup, sinker — is deceptive in design but has been hittable in 2026, with velocity sitting 89-90 mph. He'll need quality sequencing to navigate a Mets lineup anchored by Juan Soto, who leads New York with 15 HR and a .290 average. Soto has been the lone offensive constant for a banged-up Mets squad missing Lindor, Robert, and Polanco. Nolan McLean counters with a power profile — 95 mph sinker, 96 mph four-seamer — and strong spin rates averaging 2550 RPM. His pitch mix is ground-ball oriented, which plays well in GABP to some extent, though the park still favors hitters. McLean has been workable, logging 93-101 pitches per start, but the Reds have momentum at home and the Mets carry a 14-23 road mark that underscores their road struggles. Cincinnati's IL list is concerning long-term — Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, and Brandon Williamson are all out — but the immediate roster is functional after activating Trevino. The Mets are in a worse spot with Polanco now on the 60-day IL and Christian Scott shelved, relying on recalled arms like Pintaro and Myers for depth. Elly De La Cruz's absence hurts the Reds' upside, but this team has won two straight and appears locked in at home. The bullpen edge goes to Cincinnati. The Mets' pen has been taxed and depleted by injury, while Cincinnati's unit — though missing Pagán and Pierce Johnson — has had more rest coming off a dominant 12-0 win two days ago.

Scoring Dynamics

Early (1-3) 2R Pitchers establish early, low first 3 innings

Middle (4-6) 4R Lodolo tires mid-game, Reds offense breaks through

Late (7-9) 2R Bullpens tighten it up, Reds pen holds

Matchup Analysis

Reds

2-game series win streak

Strong home run differential

Lodolo solid pitch mix

Cincinnati home park edge

Banged-up rotation depth

Below-average offense season-long

Mets

Juan Soto elite production

McLean high velo sinker arsenal

Semien veteran presence

14-23 road record

Heavy IL losses Lindor/Robert/Polanco

Risk Factors

Lodolo ERA over 5, volatile

Mets bullpen thin with recalls

Key Matchups

Juan Soto vs Nick Lodolo batter Soto's .290 avg and elite plate discipline vs Lodolo's 5.21 ERA

Matt McLain vs Nolan McLean pitcher McLean's heavy sinker suppresses McLain's pull-side power

Nathaniel Lowe vs Nolan McLean batter Lowe's .257 avg and patience can work sinker-heavy pitchers

Statistical Edges

First to Score Reds 54%

Strikeouts 14 11-17

Total Runs 8 6-11

Game Preview

Great American Ball Park hosts the rubber match of this three-game series under warm June sunshine, 78 degrees and a mild southwest breeze. Cincinnati comes in riding confidence after winning the first two games of the series, including an emphatic 12-0 blowout on Monday. The Reds have won six of their last nine at home and seem to have found some rhythm after a rocky stretch against San Diego and St. Louis. Lodolo starts sharp, working ahead in counts and keeping the Mets' depleted lineup off-balance early. Soto makes contact in the second inning but is stranded as Lodolo escapes. The Reds break through in the second when Nathaniel Lowe works a walk and scores on a McLain single. Cincinnati adds two more in the fourth on a Noelvi Marte RBI groundout and a bases-loaded walk, chasing McLean from the game. McLean had been solid through three innings but loses command in the fourth, forcing the Mets to dip into their patchwork bullpen. Soto remains dangerous all afternoon — he drives in a run in the fifth on a sharp single — but the Mets can never string together enough offense to seriously threaten. Lodolo works into the sixth before handing off to the Cincinnati bullpen, which shuts the door. The Reds tack on an insurance run in the eighth. Cincinnati completes the sweep, improving to 19-18 at home and sending the Mets back to New York having dropped three straight, sitting 7.5 games under .500.

Reds hold home advantage, series momentum, and face a road-poor Mets team (14-23 away) depleted by injuries. Lodolo's ERA tempers confidence, but Cincinnati's bullpen edge and Mets' roster attrition tip the scales moderately toward the home team.

Vjerojatni bacaci

New York Mets — Postava

Igrač	Poz.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Carson Benge	RF	.250	7	26	.311	.381
Bo Bichette	3B	.254	8	42	.299	.378
MJ Melendez	LF	.198	4	11	.317	.377
Brett Baty	2B	.226	3	26	.303	.318
Mark Vientos	1B	.218	8	31	.249	.379
Francisco Alvarez	DH	.255	5	13	.327	.401
A.J. Ewing	CF	.250	2	11	.333	.362
Luis Torrens	C	.218	1	15	.271	.315
Zack Short	SS	.154	0	2	.286	.205

Cincinnati Reds — Postava

Igrač	Poz.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Edwin Arroyo	2B	.205	0	2	.273	.231
JJ Bleday	LF	.265	13	35	.367	.572
Sal Stewart	3B	.252	14	47	.349	.456
Dane Myers	CF	.255	3	12	.358	.382
Eugenio Suárez	DH	.212	7	25	.274	.376
Spencer Steer	1B	.245	11	28	.330	.429
Noelvi Marte	RF	.206	3	3	.254	.381
Jose Trevino	C	.167	0	2	.189	.194
Matt McLain	SS	.207	8	25	.314	.363

Poentirajuće igre

▲ 3

Juan Soto singles on a fly ball to center fielder Noelvi Marte. Luis Torrens scores. Bo Bichette to 2nd.

1-0

▲ 3

Marcus Semien singles on a line drive to left fielder JJ Bleday. Bo Bichette scores. Juan Soto to 3rd.

2-0

▲ 3

Mark Vientos singles on a ground ball to left fielder JJ Bleday. Juan Soto scores. Marcus Semien to 2nd.

3-0

▼ 3

JJ Bleday out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder A.J. Ewing. Jose Trevino scores.

3-1

▲ 5

Mark Vientos out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Spencer Steer. Bo Bichette scores.

4-1

▲ 5

Francisco Alvarez singles on a ground ball to left fielder JJ Bleday. Juan Soto scores. Marcus Semien to 2nd.

5-1

▲ 5

A.J. Ewing doubles (5) on a sharp fly ball to center fielder Noelvi Marte. Marcus Semien scores. Francisco Alvarez scores.

7-1

▲ 8

Bo Bichette singles on a ground ball to right fielder Spencer Steer. Carson Benge scores.

8-1

▲ 8

Juan Soto doubles (7) on a line drive to center fielder Noelvi Marte. Bo Bichette scores.

9-1

New York Mets — Udaranje

Igrač	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OPS
Carson BengeRF	5	1	1	0	0	0	.250	.692
Bo Bichette3B	4	3	3	1	1	0	.254	.677
MJ MelendezLF	0	0	0	0	0	0	.198	.694
Brett Baty2B	0	0	0	0	0	0	.226	.621
Mark Vientos1B	4	0	1	2	0	1	.218	.628
Francisco AlvarezDH	5	1	3	1	0	0	.255	.728
A.J. EwingCF	4	0	1	2	1	1	.250	.695
Luis TorrensC	5	1	1	0	0	0	.218	.586
Zack ShortSS	3	0	0	0	0	2	.154	.491
Ukupno	39	9	15	9	3	4

BATTING

2B: Ewing (5, Lodolo); Soto, J (7, Paddack).

3B: Benge (2, Paddack).

TB: Alvarez, F 3; Benge 3; Bichette 3; Ewing 2; Semien 2; Soto, J 4; Torrens; Vientos.

RBI: Alvarez, F (13); Bichette (42); Ewing 2 (11); Semien (27); Soto, J 2 (36); Vientos 2 (31).

2-out RBI: Ewing 2; Soto, J; Semien; Alvarez, F; Vientos.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Torrens 2; Alvarez, F; Vientos.

SAC: Short.

SF: Vientos.

GIDP: Soto, J; Vientos.

Team RISP: 7-for-13.

Team LOB: 8.

FIELDING

E: Vientos (4, missed catch); Short (2, fielding).

Cincinnati Reds — Udaranje

Igrač	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OPS
Edwin Arroyo2B	4	0	0	0	0	1	.205	.504
JJ BledayLF	2	0	0	1	1	0	.265	.939
Sal Stewart3B	4	0	1	0	0	1	.252	.805
Dane MyersCF	1	0	0	0	0	0	.255	.740
Eugenio SuárezDH	4	0	0	0	0	1	.212	.650
Spencer Steer1B	4	0	0	0	0	2	.245	.759
Noelvi MarteRF	4	0	1	0	0	1	.206	.635
Jose TrevinoC	4	1	1	0	0	0	.167	.383
Matt McLainSS	3	0	1	0	1	2	.207	.677
Ukupno	33	1	5	1	2	9

BATTING

2B: McLain, M (13, McLean); Lowe, N (10, McLean); Stewart, S (14, Raley, B); Marte, N (2, Warren, A).

TB: Lowe, N 2; Marte, N 2; McLain, M 2; Stewart, S 2; Trevino.

RBI: Bleday (35).

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Suárez, E 4; Arroyo; Stewart, S.

SF: Bleday.

Team RISP: 0-for-6.

Team LOB: 9.

FIELDING

E: McLain, M (2, fielding).

DP: 2 (Arroyo-McLain, M-Lowe, N; Lodolo-Arroyo-Lowe, N).

a-Popped out for Lowe, N in the 8th.

New York Mets — Bacanje

Bacač	IP	H	R	BB	K	PC-ST	ERA
Nolan McLean(W, 4-4)	7.0	3	1	1	9	101-63	3.67
Brooks Raley	1.0	1	0	0	0	14-11	2.00
Austin Warren	1.0	1	0	1	0	17-11	2.63

Cincinnati Reds — Bacanje

Bacač	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Nick Lodolo(L, 2-2)	4.2	11	7	7	2	2	0	90-54	6.12
Chris Paddack	4.1	4	2	2	1	2	0	60-39	6.96

Informacije o utakmici

Suci: Home Plate: Nate Tomlinson; First Base: Jacob Metz; Second Base: Mark Wegner; Third Base: Carlos Torres

Stadion: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati

Vrijeme: 78°F, Partly Cloudy

Vjetar: 7 mph, R To L

New York Mets — Vijesti

Mets određuju Vidala Bruána za dodjelu

Bruján odlazi sa prosjekom od .091 i .214 xwOBA u minimalnoj MLB akciji, oslobađajući mjesto za Zacka Shorta (zahtijevan s waivers-a jučer sa .286 xwOBA u ograničenoj Triple-A igri). Nijedan od tih poteza ne utječe značajno na NYM-ovu razliku od -23 poena ili njihov rezultat 32-40.

Vidal Bruján

Zack Short

New York Mets

Mets izjavljuje pravo na Zacka Shorta iz waiversa, prebacuje Polancu na 60-dnevnu IL

Polancoovo sniženje završava seriju od 14 utakmica gdje je udario .179 s xwOBA .27, što predstavlja minimalnu ofenzivnu gubitak za Mets ekipu s rekordom 32-39. Short dolazi kao infielder dubine bez preostalih opcija, ali ne nudi ofenzivnu prednost (xwOBA .286 u ograničenoj akciji 2026).

Zack Short

New York Mets

Mets Stavljaju Christiana Scotta na Listu Ozlijeđenih

Scott nema zabilježene statističke podatke za 2026. godinu, što ukazuje na minimalan utjecaj na rotaciju; trenutna dubina počinjih bacača NYM-a sastoji se od Peralt (ERA 4,04, 5-5) i Petersona (ERA 5,75, 0-4) koji podupiru tim sa rekordom 32-39 koji je već 6 utakmica ispod ,500.

Christian Scott

New York Mets

Freddy Peralta vodi Mets usred špekulacija o razmjeni

Peraltin ERA od 4.04 i 9.12 K/9 u 78 IP predstavljaju najpoznatiju rotacijsku komponentu Metsa u sezoni 29-38 obilježenoj organizacijskom nestabilnosti. Bilo koji odlazak bi izložio momčad gdje je Peterson (ERA 5.75, 0-4) jedina druga zdrava opcija za više startova.

Freddy Peralta

New York Mets

Mets Suspenduju Rehabilitaciju Jorge Polanca Zbog Bolova u Glemu

Polancov neuspjeh odgađa njegov povratak iz ozljede zapešća koja ga čuva od greda od sredine travnja; igrač prve baze je pogodio samo .179/.270/.286 u 14 igara ove sezone. NYM sjedna 28-36 s najgorom razlikom trčanja u ligi (-9), što čini svako ofenzivno pojačanje kritičnim za nade u konkurenciji.

Jorge Polanco

New York Mets

Cincinnati Reds — Vijesti

Male akvizicije Red Soxa stabiliziraju napad ispod prosjeka

Cincinnati (34-37, razlika u trkama -46) je na putu do 16. uzastopne sezone s wRC+ ispod prosjeka, ali potezi dubine momčadi spriječili su potpuni kolaps. Rotacija ostaje ograničavajući faktor s Singerom na 5,61 ERA i Paddackom na 7,21 ERA u ograničenim startama.

Cincinnati Reds

Beleške Redsa: Greene, Johnson, Pagán, Trevino, Haggerty

Cincinnati je 33-36 s razlikom trčanja od -56, zadnja u NL Centralnoj nakon što je imala 3-7 u posljednje 10 utakmica. Sidro rotacije Abbott nosi ERA od 4.10 dok Singer (ERA 5.61) i Paddack (ERA 7.17, 0-4) nisu pružili dubinu.

Cincinnati Reds

D-Backs Aktiviraju Jordana Lawlara sa 60-dnevne Liste Ozlijeđenih

Lawlar se vraća s ograničenim podacima iz 2026. (0 U, .333 AVG na malom uzorku), što čini njegov utjecaj nesiguran protiv slabe momčadi bacača Cincinnatija (4.10-5.61 ERA starteri). Arizona dobija potencijalno pojačanje sastava prije serije protiv momčadi Redsa koja dopušta 340 trčanja (2.0 više po igri od prosjeka lige).

Jordan Lawlar

Cincinnati Reds

Hunter Greene (RHP, CIN) cilja na povratak u srpnju nakon operacije lakta

Odgođeni raspored Greenea ostavlja Cincinnati ovisnom o Abottu (4.06 ERA), Singeru (6.18 ERA) i Paddacku (6.90 ERA), dok Reds sjede na 31-31 sa razlikom trčanja od -48 i bore se da ostanu konkurentni u NL Central.

Hunter Greene

Cincinnati Reds

Lyon Richardson Bira Slobodno Agentstvo Nakon DFA-a Redsa

Richardson je bilježio ERA od 13,50 u akciji nižih liga u ovoj sezoni bez MLB nadenja, što mu je odlazak činio rutinskom promjenom momčadi za Cincinnati (31-30, -41 razlika trčanja).

Lyon Richardson

Cincinnati Reds