New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds Picks and Prediction, Sunday, September 8, 2025
On Sunday afternoon, the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds meet in the final game of a three-game series at Great American Ballpark, and we will set you up with a Mets vs. Reds prediction to go along with free picks. Brandon Sproat will pitch for the Mets while Hunter Greene throws for the Reds. Read on for a prediction on the score and a game breakdown.
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Sproat Makes Major League Debut
Brandon Sproat will make his first career start in the final game of this series against the Reds.
- While his overall record with Triple-A Syracuse was only 8-6 with a mediocre 4.24 ERA this season, the 24-year-old right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.41 ERA over his last 14 games.
- He gave up 46 hits and 29 walks over 68-2/3 innings in those appearances while posting 75 strikeouts.
- The Mets have relied on the young arms to carry them. Jonah Tong made his second career start in Saturday's 6-3 loss in Cincinnati. He allowed only three hits in six innings, but they all went over the fence.
- Nolan McLean, who has won his first four starts, is slated to pitch Monday's opener in Philadelphia. "We keep talking about having these three young kids pitching at this level and where we're at in the season and the meaning of every game," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "And here they are."
New York holds the third wild-card spot and has a five-game lead over Cincinnati in the standings. Also, the Reds have the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks standing between them and the final NL postseason spot.
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Critical Game for the Reds
The Reds will trot out Hunter Greene for this crucial matchup against the Mets. Last week, he took a no-decision against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.
- That is now six consecutive outings of at least five innings for Greene, who also has three quality starts during that stretch.
- According to Yahoo.com, the right-hander generated 15 swinging strikes, and it was already the ninth time in 15 appearances this year that Greene tallied at least seven strikeouts.
- Greene has a stellar 2.70 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 101:17 K:BB across 83.1 frames. Greene is 0-2 with a 4.84 ERA in four career starts against the Mets, although most of that is due to giving up six runs over 5 1/3 innings in his first appearance versus them on July 4, 2022.
A win not only would give the Reds (71-71) the series victory over the Mets (76-66), but it also would give them the season series, 4-2. That could be vital if the two teams end up tied in the National League wild-card standings.
Mets vs. Reds Pick
Spread Pick for Mets vs. Reds
- Cincinnati Reds ML (5 units)
The Mets will start another young prospect in this important series finale against the Reds. Brandon Sproat will make his first career start, but he has not been particularly sharp in his time in Triple-A. While his overall record with Triple-A Syracuse was only 8-6 with a mediocre 4.24 ERA this season, the 24-year-old right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.41 ERA over his last 14 games, and that earned him the call-up. I suspect he struggles here against a desperate Reds team. Greene is 0-2 with a 4.84 ERA in four career starts against the Mets, although most of that is due to giving up six runs over 5 1/3 innings three years ago. He is a different pitcher and will deliver here. Take the Reds.
- Over/Under Pick for Mets vs. Reds
- UNDER (4 units)
Hunter Greene has been a reliable contributor to the Reds' rotation this season, and they are on target for a playoff spot. After missing more than two months due to a right groin strain, the right-hander has a 2.66 ERA with 28 strikeouts to three walks in 23 2/3 innings over four games. The Reds have won three of those games, although Greene's record is just 1-1 in that span. Brandon Nimmo has enjoyed the best success against Greene, although it's been two years since they faced each other. Pete Alonso is just 2-for-9, and the rest of the Mets lineup does not have much experience against him. I like Greene to pitch well and Sproat to struggle in his debut. Take the under.
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