Cincinnati @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2011 ) NY Mets 10, Cincinnati 9

THE STORY: There have been more negatives than positives this season for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets, a pair of teams with losing records who will look to end on a bright note when they wrap things up with a three-game series at Citi Field starting Monday. The Reds will finish third in the National League Central, while the Mets are in fourth in the NL East but still have a chance to catch Washington and finish third.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio, SNY

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (9-7, 4.32 ERA) vs. Mets RH Chris Schwinden (0-2, 5.06 ERA)

Bailey has won his last two decisions and posted quality starts in four of his past six outings. He was solid Tuesday against Houston, allowing two runs over seven innings. Bailey has faced the Mets only once, July 28 of this year, and was rocked for nine runs and 12 hits over four innings of a 10-9 loss.

The 25-year-old Schwinden is still looking for his first major league win. In three starts since his September call-up, Schwinden has pitched well enough to win a couple of times, but the Mets haven't pulled through. He gave a solid outing Wednesday at St. Louis, allowing three runs over six innings for his first quality start, but the Mets lost 6-5.

ABOUT THE REDS (77-82): A year after winning the NL Central and being swept in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia, the Reds have endured their 11th losing season in the past 12 years. They have one of the top offensive teams in the NL but needed some help from pitcher Dontrelle Willis' two-run double to avoid a three-game sweep with a 5-4 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

ABOUT THE METS (76-83): The Mets have matched last season's loss total and are assured of a third consecutive losing season, but they have reason to believe they can turn things around against the Reds. New York has won all four meetings, sweeping a four-game set in Cincinnati from July 25-28. The Mets took two of three from Philadelphia over the weekend, but were beaten up in a 9-4 loss in Sunday's finale.

FINAL PITCH: Mets leadoff man Jose Reyes went 2-for-4 Sunday to raise his average a point to .331. He trails only Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (.333) in the NL. Reyes was 0-for-3 against Bailey earlier this year.