The highly anticipated series between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds kicked off on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Citi Field in Queens, New York, delivering an immediate upset as the visiting Reds defeated the heavily favored Mets with a final score of 8-4. This unexpected outcome sets a compelling tone for the remainder of the weekend series.
The Mets, entering the game as -157 moneyline favorites with an implied 61.1% chance of victory, initially appeared to be in control. They took an early lead, with Juan Soto launching a 412-foot solo home run to right-center in the first inning, followed by Jeff McNeil’s RBI single in the second, which scored Brandon Nimmo, putting New York up 2-0. However, the Reds’ offense, despite being the underdog, mounted a significant comeback.
Cincinnati’s power surge began in the fourth inning with a solo home run from Austin Hays. The Reds then exploded in the fifth, as Matt McLain hit a two-run homer, bringing TJ Friedl home and giving Cincinnati a 3-2 lead. Hays continued his impressive performance with another solo shot in the sixth, followed by Tyler Stephenson’s two-run blast that also scored Spencer Steer, extending the Reds’ lead to 6-2. Elly De La Cruz added an RBI single in the seventh, and Hays capped off his stellar night with an RBI walk in the eighth, pushing the score to 8-2. The Mets managed to chip away in the ninth, with Brandon Nimmo scoring on an error and Mauricio coming home on a Luis Torrens single, but it was too little, too late. The Reds out-hit the Mets 8-7 and dominated in home runs, 4-1. ESPN’s game recap highlighted the Reds’ offensive efficiency.
Heading into this series, the New York Mets held a strong 55-42 record, placing them in a tie for first in the National League East standings. Their home record of 33-14 has been particularly impressive. The Cincinnati Reds, meanwhile, improved their record to 50-47 with the win, sitting fourth in the NL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs. The Reds have now won their last three games, showcasing a recent surge in form.
Individual performances continue to be a focal point for both teams. For the Mets, Juan Soto leads the team with 23 home runs and holds a .262 batting average with 56 RBIs. Pete Alonso is a key run producer, boasting a team-high 77 RBIs and 21 home runs with a .280 average. On the Reds’ side, Elly De La Cruz has been a standout, leading his team with 18 home runs, 63 RBIs, and a .284 batting average. De La Cruz is currently on a five-game hitting streak, batting an impressive .471 over his last five outings. Austin Hays’s two-homer performance in the series opener further underscored the Reds’ offensive potential. Fox Sports’ pre-game analysis had highlighted these key players.
Looking ahead, the series continues on Saturday, July 19, 2025, with a 4:10 p.m. ET matchup at Citi Field. The probable pitchers are Nick Martinez (7-9, 4.78 ERA) for the Reds and Clay Holmes (8-4, 3.31 ERA) for the Mets. Despite Friday’s loss, the Mets are once again favored, with a moneyline of -180 and an implied win probability of 60.3%, while the over/under for total runs is set at 8.5. Historically, the Reds have shown they can compete with the Mets, having won five of their last ten matchups against New York prior to this series, as per Statmuse data.
With the Reds drawing first blood in this series, the Mets will be eager to bounce back and defend their home turf. The Saturday game promises another exciting contest as both teams vie for crucial wins in their respective playoff pushes.
