Mets Without Juan Soto Again, Set To Open Three-Game Series Against Reds

The New York Mets will begin a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Memorial Day following being swept by its National League East division rival, the Miami Marlins, over the weekend.

The Mets were engaged in a scoreless tie heading into the ninth inning, as right-handed starter Christian Scott pitched 5.2 scoreless innings while allowing four hits and two walks with five strikeouts, and three relievers kept Miami off the board through the eighth.

New York ran into trouble when right-hander Devin Williams came into the game, though. Williams only got one out before loading the bases for outfielder Heriberto Hernandez, who didn’t miss the off-speed pitch right down the middle.

Hernandez drove the pitch 416 feet to center field for the exhilarating walk-off grand slam, putting the Marlins on top for good, 4-0. The Mets have now lost five of its last six games and lost ground on the Marlins and Washington Nationals in the last week.

New York needs a stopper, and the club is hoping it’s right-handed rookie phenom Nolan McLean. McLean will toe the rubber against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo, who hasn’t pitched much this season due to injury.

McLean had the worst start of his Major League career his last time out, but he is still 2-3 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.03 WHIP (16th) and 69 strikeouts (10th) in 10 starts (58 innings). The Nationals got to McLean in 5.2 innings, scoring nine runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks.

McLean has kept himself in the running for NL Rookie of the Year, but he will need to limit those outings if he wants to come out on top. He will face the following Reds lineup:

1. Blake Dunn (CF)

2. Elly De La Cruz (SS)

3. JJ Bleday (LF)

4. Sal Stewart (3B)

5. Eugenio Suarez (DH)

6. Nathaniel Lowe (1B)

7. Spencer Steer (RF)

8. Tyler Stephenson (C)

9. Matt McLain (2B)

Lodolo is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through just three starts (15 innings) this season. The 28-year-old lefty spent the first month of the season on the injured list with a lingering blister on his left index finger, but made his first start May 8.

His last time out was against the Philadelphia Phillies and pitched into the sixth inning, tossing 5.2 frames of three-run ball on three hits, five walks and three strikeouts to earn a no-decision. Lodolo will take on the following Mets lineup:

1. Carson Benge (DH)

2. Bo Bichette (SS)

3. Mark Vientos (1B)

4. Marcus Semien (2B)

5. A.J. Ewing (CF)

6. Tyrone Taylor (RF)

7. Nick Morabito (LF)

8. Brett Baty (3B)

9. Luis Torrens (C)

First pitch is at 4:10 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.