Reds-Mets Series Opener Preview

The Cincinnati Reds will travel to New York to take on the Mets Friday as they begin their first road trip of the season, and after New York they will head to St Louis.

Aug 26, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake (44) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Reds starter Mike Leake will make his season debut and hopes to lead the Reds to their seventh straight win at Citi Field.

Leake had his best season as a starter last year going  (14-7, 3.37 ERA)  setting career-best marks in wins, ERA, strikeouts, innings pitched and starts. He also looked strong in his last spring start last Saturday, allowing two hits over six scoreless innings.

The right-hander is  2-2 with a 2.31 ERA in his six career starts against the Mets.

Now the Mets are winless to start the season and have score a totaled of 10 runs and struck out 39 times while hitting .179 in losing all three games to the Washington Nationals in its opening series.

The Mets also have hit just .178 and scored 12 runs during their six-game home skid to the Reds, who took four of six overall in the series last season. Leake pitched great in  New York allowing  three hits over seven innings in a 4-0 victory at Citi Field on May 21.

Following a 3-hour, 42-minute rain delay Thursday, Cincinnati couldn’t hold on to an early three-run lead despite Todd Frazier’s two home runs in a 7-6 loss to St. Louis. Frazier, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce combined to go 7 for 13 with three homers and six RBIs after the Reds had totaled one run and nine hits in their first two games.

The Mets will give the ball to Jenrry Mejia, who won a spot in the rotation after having a strong spring training. The Reds have never faced him.

New York may need him to go deep into the game  since its bullpen has a 10.61 ERA, allowing 15 hits and seven walks in 9 1-3 innings along with a .366 opponents’ batting average in 41 at-bats.

First pitch is at 7:10pm

TV: FSN OHIO, RADIO: 700 WLW.