Mets vs. Reds: Gameday Questions

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Did Aaron Harang’s scratch change Jose Reyes plans to return?

Questions regarding Jose Reyes expected return to the lineup for Tuesday’s game began surfacing after Reds starter Aaron Harang was scratched from Monday’s start 30 minutes before gametime.  After missing six games (in which the Mets went 3-3) with an injured right obligue, the Mets had planned to bring Reyes back against a lefthander so he could bat from the right side, which makes it less likely to re-aggrevate his injury.  With the righthanded Harang being moved to tonight, Reyes is still expected to start tonight but will bat strictly from the right side.

Can Johan Santana return to form?

The Mets have gone just 7-10 in games started by Santana this season, granted his run support hasn’t been the greatest in some.  After starting 3-1, Santana has won just two decisions since April 27, which is not what the Mets expected from their ace and one of the top pitchers in the game.  In two starts last season, Santana went 2-0 against the Reds, allowing one run over 12 2/3 innings.  But the Reds he will face tonight are not the Reds of last season.

Can the Mets stop Joey Votto?

With two more home runs on Monday, Joey Votto is establishing himself as a Met killer.  The All-Star snub is hitting .318 with 21 home runs and 59 RBIs for the first place Reds, but is among the candidates for the NL final vote for a spot on the All-Star team.  The lefthanded hitting Votto is hitting just .260 off lefties and .347 off righties, with 18 of his 21 home runs also coming against righthanded pitchers.  This bodes well for the lefthanded Santana, who Votto has gone 3-for-10 with two strikeouts against in his career.