Cincinnati @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2018 ) Cincinnati 6, NY Mets 1

The dark comedy that has been Jacob deGrom's season continues when the New York Mets ace seeks to end a seven-start winless drought in the finale of a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon. DeGrom leads the majors with a 1.85 ERA but he has won only once over his last 13 trips to the mound.

Riding a streak of 14 straight quality starts, deGrom has gone eight innings in four of his last five turns and New York will be hoping for another such outing after burning its bullpen in Tuesday's 6-1 loss. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, mired in a 3-for-30 funk in the previous nine games, collected two of the Mets' four hits as they lost for the 26th time in their last 37 home games. Phillip Ervin clubbed a two-run homer and had three RBIs as Cincinnati improved to 2-6 on its nine-game road trip. Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett is 7-for-15 with a pair of homers and five RBIs against New York this season.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Robert Stephenson (2017: 5-6, 4.68 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-7, 1.85)

Stephenson was on a roll at Triple-A Louisville, posting a 6-0 record and a 1.23 ERA over his last seven starts while permitting only 23 hits in 44 innings. "I feel like I made a lot of progress since I've been down there," Stephenson told MLB.com. "I feel really comfortable about being back." He earned a win over the Mets on Aug. 31, 2017, giving up two runs and five hits in six innings.

DeGrom keeps finding ways to lose mainly because his team cannot find ways to provide run support, scoring three runs during his current three-start skid. He registered his 14th consecutive quality start last time out versus Atlanta, but took the loss despite allowing two runs and six hits over eight innings. Gennett is 5-for-16 against deGrom, who owns a 1-1 mark and 3.00 ERA versus the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez has hit safely in five straight games overall and is 8-for-20 versus the Mets this season.

2. Mets RF Jose Bautista had an RBI single Tuesday after going 0-for-21 in the previous six games.

3. Reds 1B Joey Votto rested his ailing knee Tuesday and his status is unclear for the series finale.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Reds 1