Memorial Day at Citi Field saw the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets square off for the opener of a three-game series, with both teams eager to set the tone after recent ups and downs. The Reds, sitting fourth in the NL Central at 27-25, arrived in Queens after a rain-soaked stretch that limited them to just one game in the last four days—a grueling 20-inning doubleheader split. Meanwhile, the Mets, reeling from a tough 2-5 road trip and a sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins, returned home with a 22-31 record, hoping the familiar turf might spark a turnaround.
First pitch was set for 4:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May 25, 2026, with the weather hovering at a comfortable 71°F and only a slight chance of rain. Fans filed into Citi Field—capacity 42,136, roof open, grass underfoot—ready to see if the Mets could capitalize on their home field, where they’ve been 11-13 this season, a better mark than their 11-18 record on the road. But the Reds, boasting a 25-15 record against non-divisional opponents, were not about to make things easy.
The pitching matchup drew plenty of attention. For the Reds, left-hander Nick Lodolo took the mound after a rocky start to his 2026 campaign. Lodolo, who missed five weeks with a blister issue before returning to the rotation on May 8, entered the game with a 0-1 record, a 7.20 ERA, and a 1.53 WHIP over 15 innings. The numbers told the story: 12 earned runs allowed, 14 hits, 9 walks, and 3 hit batters. Both righties and lefties had found success against him, with left-handed hitters batting .333 and righties slugging .622. As the stats showed, "both left-handed hitters and right-handed hitters are hitting for a ton of power against him and walking nearly as much as they strike out."
The Mets countered with rookie right-hander Nolan McLean, who had been a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent season. Despite a rough outing against the Nationals in his previous start—six earned runs and nine total allowed in 5⅔ innings—McLean carried a 2-3 record, a 3.57 ERA, and a sparkling 1.03 WHIP with 69 strikeouts in 58 innings. His ability to miss bats was notable, with a strikeout rate of 10.71 per nine innings. As one preview noted, "McLean misses bats consistently, while Lodolo gives up too much hard contact."
Both teams had to navigate significant roster challenges. The Mets were without star outfielder Juan Soto, who missed his second straight game due to illness, compounding the absence of everyday contributors like Francisco Lindor and Luis Robert Jr. The Reds, for their part, were missing defensive standouts Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jose Trevino, putting added pressure on Lodolo and the infield.
The starting lineups featured a mix of regulars and fresh faces. For Cincinnati: Blake Dunn led off in center, followed by Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, JJ Bleday in left, Sal Stewart at third, Eugenio Suarez as DH, Nathaniel Lowe at first, Spencer Steer in right, Tyler Stephenson behind the plate, and Matt McLain at second. The Mets countered with Carson Benge as DH, Bo Bichette at short, Mark Vientos at first, Marcus Semien at second, A.J. Ewing in center, Tyrone Taylor in right, Nick Morabito in left, Brett Baty at third, and Luis Torrens catching.
Recent performances painted an intriguing picture. The Reds were coming off a 9-4 win over the Phillies, a game where their bats erupted for 15 hits—including a two-run home run by Sal Stewart in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. For the Mets, their last home series included a thrilling 7-6 win over the Yankees, but momentum was hard to sustain after the road trip woes.
Betting markets reflected the perceived edge for New York. The Mets were favored at -161 on the moneyline, with the Reds as +135 underdogs. The spread sat at Mets -1.5, and the over/under was set at 7.5 runs, with many analysts leaning toward the over given both teams’ recent trends—especially Cincinnati’s penchant for high-scoring affairs, with the over hitting in 70% of their last 10 games. As one betting analyst put it, "Given Lodolo’s susceptibility to the long ball, projecting a productive offensive showing for New York makes betting the Over a logical angle."
For those keeping an eye on prop bets, Juan Soto’s absence loomed large. He had been a popular pick for over 1.5 total bases, but with his status uncertain due to illness, bettors were advised to watch the lineup closely. On the mound, Nolan McLean’s strikeout prop (over 7.5) was a hot topic, with his high K-rate and the Reds’ strikeout tendencies making it a tempting play.
The Reds’ playoff hopes remained alive but tempered. With a 27-25 record, they sat four games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers (30-20), with playoff odds at 13.9% according to Fangraphs. Their struggles against divisional opponents (just 2-10 in the NL Central) contrasted sharply with their strong showing against the rest of the league. The Mets, meanwhile, found themselves in last place in the NL East, their 22-31 record a reflection of injuries, inconsistency, and a tough schedule against winning teams—they were just 10-21 in such matchups.
Manager Terry Francona of the Reds made headlines by announcing that Brady Singer, skipped in the rotation, would pitch on Saturday after a week working with pitching coach Derek Johnson. The hope was for a reset, as Cincinnati looked for stability in their rotation beyond Lodolo’s struggles.
Both teams had plenty to prove as the series got underway. For the Mets, it was about shaking off a disappointing road trip and leveraging their home field, even as injuries mounted. For the Reds, it was a chance to keep building their playoff resume and show they could win outside their division.
As the first pitch was thrown, all eyes were on whether Nick Lodolo could find his form and keep the Mets’ bats in check, or if Nolan McLean would continue his impressive rookie campaign by carving through the Reds’ lineup. With both teams hungry for momentum and the betting public leaning heavily toward New York, the stage was set for a compelling Memorial Day showdown in Queens.
The action remains ongoing at Citi Field, with fans and bettors alike glued to every pitch. As the Reds and Mets battle for early series control, the outcome is still very much up in the air—and with both teams’ seasons at a crucial juncture, every inning could prove decisive.