First Pitch: 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Citi Field, Queens, New York
Surface: Natural Grass
Probable Pitchers:
- CIN — Nick Lodolo (LHP)
- NYM — Christian McLean (RHP)
Weather Outlook (Queens, NY)
- Temperature: 70–73°F at first pitch
- Wind: 9–12 mph blowing out to right‑center
- Humidity: ~60%
- Precipitation: <10% — low delay risk
- Ballpark Impact: Slightly hitter‑friendly for LHB; wind helps balls carry to the power alley in right‑center
Injury Report
Cincinnati Reds
- Elly De La Cruz — Probable (minor quad tightness; expected to play)
- TJ Friedl — OUT (wrist fracture)
- Matt McLain — OUT (shoulder)
- Hunter Greene — Probable (normal rest; bullpen availability unlikely)
- Alexis Díaz — Day‑to‑day (fatigue)
New York Mets
- Francisco Lindor — Day‑to‑day (ankle soreness)
- Pete Alonso — Probable (hand contusion)
- Kodai Senga — OUT (shoulder)
- Brooks Raley — OUT (elbow)
- Starling Marte — OUT (hip)
Team Records & Recent Form
Cincinnati Reds (27–25)
- Last 10: 6–4
- Road Record: 13–13
- Run Differential: +12
- Trend: Pitching improving; offense streaky but explosive when De La Cruz is active
- Key Note: Reds have allowed 3 runs or fewer in 5 of last 7 wins
New York Mets (22–31)
- Last 10: 3–7
- Home Record: 11–15
- Run Differential: -38
- Trend: Bullpen unreliable; offense inconsistent outside Alonso/Lindor
- Key Note: Mets have scored 3 or fewer runs in 6 of last 9
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
CIN — Nick Lodolo (LHP)
- 2026 Stats:
- ERA: ~3.34
- WHIP: 1.15
- K/9: 10.2
- HR/9: 0.9
- Profile: Tall lefty; elite curveball; deceptive fastball
- Strengths: Dominant vs. LHB; high whiff rate; excellent command
- Weaknesses: Occasional early‑inning traffic; can be vulnerable to RH power if curve hangs
- Matchup Fit: Mets’ RH core (Alonso, Baty, Narváez) is inconsistent vs. LHP in 2026
NYM — Christian McLean (RHP)
- 2026 Stats:
- ERA: ~4.68
- WHIP: 1.36
- K/9: 8.1
- HR/9: 1.3
- Profile: Fastball/slider righty with developing changeup
- Strengths: Generates ground balls when ahead
- Weaknesses: Struggles vs. LHB; command issues lead to elevated pitch counts
- Matchup Fit: Reds’ LHB (Fraley, Benson) and switch hitters (De La Cruz) match up well
Key Player Matchups
Reds Hitters vs. McLean
- Elly De La Cruz: Elite vs. RHP; wind boosts his power to right‑center
- Jake Fraley: .290 career vs. RHP; strong matchup
- Spencer Steer: Excellent plate discipline; could exploit McLean’s command lapses
Mets Hitters vs. Lodolo
- Pete Alonso: Best RH power threat; HR potential if Lodolo misses up
- Francisco Lindor: If active, switch‑hitter with good curveball recognition
- Brett Baty: Struggles vs. LHP; potential liability in this matchup
Series History
- 2024–2026 Combined: Reds lead 10–8
- At Citi Field: Mets have won 4 of last 7
- Scoring Trend: 5 of last 7 meetings have gone UNDER
Betting Trends
Cincinnati Reds
- 5–2 last 7 as a road favorite
- UNDER 6–3 last 9 games
- Lodolo: Reds are 7–3 in his starts
New York Mets
- 2–6 last 8 overall
- UNDER 7–3 last 10 home games
- McLean: Mets are 3–6 in his starts
Head‑to‑Head
- UNDER 6–2 last 8 meetings
- Road team is 4–1 in last 5 matchups
Game Odds
Cincinnati Reds 7.5
New York Mets – 152
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, May 24, 2026
