New York Mets vs Cincinnati Reds – June 17, 2026

The Cincinnati Reds have taken the first two games of this series, outscoring the Mets 17-3 in the two games. Today the Reds will be looking for a sweep against New York as they wrap up their homestand. First pitch this afternoon is scheduled for 12:40pm ET.

Starting Lineups

Starting Pitchers

Nick Lodolo

After missing the first six weeks of the season Lodolo returned to the mound in early May. He’s been a bit inconsistent in his return. He battled control in five starts in May, walking 13 and hitting five more batters in 27.2 innings. Lodolo has walked just two batters in two starts in June, but he also hit three batters the last time out when he gave up two runs in 5.1 innings to Arizona.

Left-handed hitters have found all kinds of success against Lodolo this year. While they aren’t getting many chances this year to face him the guys who do are finding tons of hits, making a lot of contact, and walking as often as they strikeout. Righties are hitting for a so-so average, but are getting on base often and hitting for a lot of power against him.

Splits 

Pitch Usage 

Nolan McLean

For the most part the 2026 season has been a good one for the rookie. But in back-to-back starts in mid-to-late May he got shelled by the Nationals and Reds, giving up 16 runs (13 earned) in just 9.0 innings. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of his other 12 starts.

The splits this season aren’t huge for McLean but they do exist. Right-handed hitters are worse across the board and aren’t finding much success anywhere. Left-handed hitters are not hitting for much average, but they are walking often and showing so-so power when they do find hits. Like Lodolo, McLean hits his fair share of batters – hitting eight of them so far this year.

Splits 

Pitch Usage

When and Where

• Game time: 12:40pm ET
• Where: Great American Ball Park
• Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
• Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
• Forecast: 78°, partly cloudy, 5% chance of rain

News and Notes

Who could be traded?

This morning ESPN unveiled their list for the top players who are likely to be traded at this year’s trade deadline. Five Reds made the list. We wrote about all of them in our piece from this morning and discussed what that outcome could look like.

Division Standings