Mets At Reds Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

The New York Mets hit the road Tuesday to kick off a six-game trip when they visit the Cincinnati Reds. This trek is on the heels of dropping four of six at home to the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves as Citi Field continued to provide anything but a home field advantage with the Mets owning nearly the same record at home (28-30) as away (27-30).

After getting embarrassed in the first two games against the Braves over the weekend, New York was able to pull out the third and final game Sunday night, though not without nearly suffering the worst loss of the season. After Jon Niese pitched a brilliant eight innings of one run ball, manager Terry Collins decided to hand the 6-1 lead to the bullpen.

A combination of ineptitude by Josh Edgin and Frank Francisco helped to not only bring Atlanta to within a run, but also put the tying and winning runs in scoring position. Luckily they were bailed out when the best arm out of the Mets bullpen of late, Jon Rauch came on to save the day with a huge strikeout.

In addition to shaky work from the starting pitchers and bullpen, the Mets have had to deal with their continued power outage. Over their last nine games, New York has managed just over two runs per game, two runs below their season average.

Taking the ball for the Mets Tuesday in Cincinnati is lefty Chris Young, trying to rebound for his worst start on the season last Wednesday. The veteran was torched for seven runs in just over four innings of action, helping the Marlins work towards a 13-0 destruction of the Mets. Collins has to hope Young is more the guy that tossed seven strong innings against the San Francisco Giants back on August 2.

Young will have to be on his game if the Mets have any chance of opening the series with a win because on impressive 24-year-old righty Mat Latos will be on the hill for the Reds. Latos hasn't lost since July 18 and hasn't given up more than two runs in any of his last four starts. Last time out Latos got a no-decision after seven innings of one run, three-hit ball.

In four career starts against the Mets, Latos has gone 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA.

You can catch all the action locally on SNY or WFAN 660 with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m.