Gut Reaction: Mets 2, Reds 0 (8/30/17)

When you see that stat line of 8.1 innings pitched, with no runs, three hits, and 8 strikeouts from a Mets pitcher, you’d probably expect it to come from Jacob deGrom. Against the Reds tonight though, those stats were produced by Rafael Montero, who earned his third win of the season. He did not let his four walks affect him, and he had great deception in the 2-0 victory. If Montero was able to produce at a clip like this throughout the whole season, he likely would not fall under all of the criticism that he has become accustomed to receiving.

The offense only put up two runs this evening, which was enough to get the job done. Jose Reyes, Brandon Nimmo, Asdrubal Cabrera, Wilmer Flores, and Kevin Plawecki each produced a hit. Reyes, Flores, and Plawecki each had a double. Reyes stole his 16th base of the season. Both runs were curtesy of back to back doubles in the first inning by Plawecki and Flores.

A.J Ramos came into a very sticky situation in the ninth, and shut the door. Coming into the game with a runner on second and third with one out, Ramos struck out both Adam Duvall and Scooter Gennett to end the game. My Gut Reaction is that as this season draws to a close, there will be a battle between Ramos Jeruys Familia to determine who will be the closer in 2018. The Mets will try to win the series from the Reds tomorrow at 1:10 when deGrom takes the hill.