Reds at Mets, Game 2 - Preview and Lineups

A Reds win tonight can guarantee at least a series split.

Last night’s game started fun, got kinda bleak in the middle, and then ended on a high note with Jesse Winker’s heroics with two out in the top of the ninth.

The Reds will look to keep that high spirit tonight when they send Luis Castillo to the mound, with his sights set on wrapping up his solid first month of the season. Castillo allowed eight hits last time out versus the Braves, but still managed six scoreless innings to lower his season ERA to 1.23, a figure that leads all of MLB’s qualified pitchers. Not bad.

The Mets will counter with Jason Vargas, who has a 7.20 ERA that’s a bit inflated due to two horrible starts earlier this year where he gave up eight runs over 1.1 IP (one start, one appearance in relief). In his last two starts, against St. Louis and Philadelphia, he’s given up only six hits and two earned runs in 8.2 innings pitched. Vargas has only made it through five full innings once this season.

I’m sure the Reds are really looking to take advantage of this game, as they’ll end the series against each Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard. While they haven’t been their typical dominant selves at times this season, they’re still tough tests, especially for a team whose offense tends to go to sleep for long periods of time during games.

So, let’s beat up on Jason Vargas, shall we?

Reds lineup

Mets lineup