Cincinnati Reds at New York Mets 8/1/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Cincinnati Reds conclude a three-game series on the road Sunday against the New York Mets. Cincinnati is 55-49 following a 6-2 victory over New York in the opening game of the series on Friday. Joey Votto hit a home run for the seventh consecutive game, which is one shy of the major league record. The Reds are second in the National League Central seven games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.

Outfielder Nick Castellanos is batting .329 to lead Cincinnati, while  first baseman Joey Votto is the leader in home runs with 21 and RBIs with 59. Third baseman Jonathan India is the leader in on-base percentage at .402 and right fielder Jesse Winker is the leader in hits with 116. On Sunday, Cincinnati will send Vladimir Gutierrez to the mound. The right-hander is 5-3 with an ERA of 4.75, 42 KS and 28 BBs.

New York dropped to 54-48 following its loss on Friday to Cincinnati in the opening game of the series. The Mets have lost two straight and three of the last four but maintain a 3 ½-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. New York's pitching is eighth in baseball with a team ERA of 3.61 but the Mets miss their ace Jacob deGrom, who continues to be on the injured list.

Pete Alonso is batting .260 to lead New York and the first baseman has team highs in home runs with 23, RBIs with 62, hits with 86 and on-base percentage at .337. New York has hit 111 home runs in 102 games. On Sunday, New York will send Marcus Stroman to the mound. The right-hander is 7-9 with an ERA of 2.63, 97 Ks and 27 BBs.