Cincinnati @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2010 ) Cincinnati 8, NY Mets 6
If Aaron Harang's sore back keeps him from taking the mound again on Tuesday - he was scratched from his scheduled start Monday because of lower back pain - the Cincinnati Reds' other pitchers might be lining up for the chance to take his place.
The Reds' starter on Tuesday will go up against New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana. Considering the Mets' recent performance when Santana pitches, that seems to be a pretty good position to occupy.
Santana (5-5, 3.41 ERA) takes the mound on Tuesday at Citi Field hoping to get the Mets back on track after an 8-6 loss in Monday's series opener. The hurler is also looking for his first win since June 15, in large part because of New York's inability to provide him much run support.
The Mets have averaged 2.76 runs in Santana's 17 starts, and they've scored a total of one run in his last three outings.
Santana has faced problems of his own doing, too. He allowed four or more runs in four consecutive starts before putting together a quality outing Thursday at Washington, where he held the Nationals to one run on six hits over seven innings in a 2-1 loss. His seven strikeouts were his most since striking out nine St. Louis Cardinals on April 17.
The Reds have scored 35 runs in their last four games, and they've belted 11 home runs during that span - including seven Sunday at Wrigley Field.
Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto continues to make the case that he should have been included on the National League All-Star team.
With two home runs Monday, Votto tied Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista for the major-league lead with 21. His three hits also boosted his batting average to .318, tied for third in the National League.
Votto is 15-for-33 (.455) with six home runs and 11 RBIs in his last nine games. Center fielder Drew Stubbs has seven RBIs in the past two contests.
Who they'll be supporting if they keep up their hot hitting is a burning question for the Reds.
Harang (6-7, 5.02 ERA) told the team's website he saw a chiropractor Monday night and hopes to pitch on Tuesday. If he can't go, the Reds probably would call up someone from the minors to take his spot in the rotation.
New York stars Jason Bay and David Wright would like to see Harang tough it out. Bay is 17-for-46 (.370) with five homers against Harang, and Wright is 8-for-12 (.667) with a homer against him.
Wright had two hits Monday, giving him multiple hits in 11 of his last 14 games. He is hitting .466 with two homers and 11 RBIs during that stretch. Bay is starting to heat up a bit, too. He has driven in 11 runs in the past eight games.
The Mets hope shortstop Jose Reyes can return to the lineup on Tuesday after missing six games with an oblique injury. Reyes was hitting .372 with five homers over a 20-game span before the injury.