National League clubs kick off a three-game series on Memorial Day, as the Cincinnati Reds visit the New York Mets at Citi Field. 

The Reds (27–25, 4th NL Central) are trying to recoup after an abysmal start to May — eight straight losses — and enter Monday’s series opener with three wins over their last four games. The Mets (22–31, 5th NL East) are attempting to salvage their season before it’s too late, returning home from a brutal 1–5 road trip.  

Looking at the pitching probables, we’ve got Cincinnati southpaw Nick Lodolo (0–1, 7.20 ERA) taking on New York right-hander Nolan McLean (2–3, 3.57 ERA).

First pitch is at 4:10 p.m. ET. The Mets enter as 1.5-run home favorites with -143 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Reds are +119 underdogs, with the game total set at O/U 7.5 runs.

Reds vs. Mets Preview

Cincinnati Reds

Only three MLB bullpens have posted an ERA north of 5.00 since the beginning of May. Cincinnati’s arm barn anchors that list — with an ugly 7.41. The Reds’ bullpen woes have underscored the overarching flaws in their pitching staff, a leading factor in their recent eight-game skid and 7–14 record this month. 

The club will need more out of Monday’s starter, Nick Lodolo, who’s searching for his first win of the season. The 28-year-old southpaw has gotten battered for a 7.20 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP in his first three starts (15 IP) of 2026 — ranking in MLB’s bottom one percent with a 7.44 xERA and a 19% barrel rate. Most recently, Lodolo surrendered three earned runs over 5.2 frames against the Phillies on three hits (including a home run) and five walks. 

Even so, the Reds have remained formidable behind one of the most potent — albeit deeply unlucky — lineups in baseball. Cincinnati this season ranks fifth in homers and third in xwOBA, with an order headlined by superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Rookie of the Year contender Sal Stewart.  

New York Mets

New York’s road trip ended in a Griswold-level catastrophe. In a scoreless deadlock with one away in the bottom of the ninth, Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez drilled Devin Williams’ 0–1 changeup to dead center field for a walk-off grand slam. The bases-clearing blast punctuated a 1–5 road swing for the Mets, who remain saddled with one of the worst records that money can buy.

The Mets’ outlook is certainly more optimistic when Nolan McLean is on the bump. The second-year right-hander, 24, owns a 3.57 ERA (2.92 xERA) and a 1.03 WHIP across 10 starts (58 IP) this season, while also ranking in MLB’s top ten percent with a 29.5% strikeout rate. But even McLean is coming off his worst performance of the season, allowing nine runs (six earned) over 5.2 frames against the Nationals on eight hits — including a pair of home runs. 

Worse, the young ace is getting bupkis for run support. The Mets rank 29th in wRC+ this season, their order completely ravaged by injuries. Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., and Francisco Alvarez are all on the IL. And on Monday, superstar Juan Soto — currently nursing an illness — will join his teammates on the sideline for a second straight game.

Reds vs. Mets Pick, Best Bet

While Nolan McLean has largely been nails this season, a Mets lineup without Juan Soto could make Nick Lodolo resemble a Cy Young candidate. New York is 3–13 without the $765 million man this season and will now be tasked with keeping pace with one of the more electric lineups in the game. The Reds should strike first in Monday’s series opener.  

Best Bet: Cincinnati Reds Moneyline (+119)