Reds-Mets Game 2 Preview

Mar 31, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) follows through during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Reds are 1-3 to start the season and fans are pushing the panic button already. Losing to the previous  winless New York Mets last night did not sit well with fans, which the team were involved in another one run game. Today, they will look to bounce back.

There’s good news for all involved on Saturday when the Reds and Mets meet again: no rain is expected in the forecast and temperatures are expected to be in the 50s.

“We’re optimistic that Saturday and Sunday will be nice days to play,” Reds manager Bryan Price said.

Price didn’t believe his players were overly affected by the wet conditions in the previous games, but better weather is always preferred.

“The concern for me is being able to steal bases and things of that nature with the ground being a little bit softer,” Price said.

Saturday’s game will feature the return of both team’s Opening Day starters from Monday. The Mets will start Dillon Gee against Reds ace Johnny Cueto.

Gee gave up four earned runs and four hits with five strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings vs. the Nationals and got a no-decision in the 9-7 loss. His lone career start vs. Cincinnati came in 2012, a game he lost after giving three runs over six innings.

Cueto, who is 2-3 with a 4.80 ERA lifetime in eight games vs. the Mets, allowed only one run and three hits over seven innings, but it was enough for a 1-0 loss to St. Louis.

Reds rookie leadoff hitter and center fielder Billy Hamilton received a night off from the starting lineup on Friday. Look for him to be back on the field this afternoon.

“He’ll definitely be playing,” Price said.

Hamilton started the season going 0-for-12 with six strikeouts. He did enter Friday’s game as a pinch-runner in the eighth inning, and the speedy runner was caught stealing.

“I’m going to do a bunch of cage work,” Hamilton said Friday. “It’s not that it’s my swing, it’s my mental approach. But I feel like this off-day and being on the bench will get things off my mind and not worry about anything.”

First pitch is at 1:10pm, TV: FSN OHIO, RADIO: 700 WLW.