New York is off a double-header on Thursday. The Reds didn’t play yesterday and send Hunter Greene to the mound, who had a solid first outing of the season, 4.2 innings, five hits, seven strikeouts while allowing two earned runs. New York’s Jose Quintana had similar stats in his first outing of the season, however, it’s the Mets offense that has been struggling. They’re batting .173 with a .538 OPS. Cincinnati’s offense has scored 34 runs as compared to the Mets 13 thus far.

After starting out 0-5, the Mets fought back in the second game of a double-header on Thursday to win, despite scoring only two runs. New York has scored more than three runs just once in six games and I'm not sure a chilly night in Cincinnati is the cure for their bats. This also sets up as a tougher scheduling spot for the Mets, traveling to Cincy after a double-header and kicking off a two-week run of games with no days off. The Reds are 4-2, averaging over 5.5 runs per game and their only loss as a favorite was due to an Alexis Diaz blown save. I'll back Cincy as a favorite here, where I think the price is a bit too light.

Wow do I like this play Friday. The Reds are off today, while the Mets are playing a doubleheader against the Tigers and probably blow out their bullpen. As I write this, closer Edwin Diaz is pitching in Game 1, for example. Then obviously travel -- for the first time this season. It's fireballer Hunter Greene for the Reds, and he dominates when not wild. Tempted to raise the unit wager but can't justify that until I officially see lineups.