Avatar photoBy Ramon ScottJune 17, 2026 7:46 am

Mets vs Reds Betting Odds Pick, June 17: Ramon Scott Leans Under With Two Weak Offenses

The New York Mets visit the Cincinnati Reds on getaway day, and Ramon Scott landed on the under on the Night Moves Show. With two of the league’s weakest offenses squaring off and a pair of decent starters on the mound, Ramon saw a low-scoring game and took the under in a matchup defined by struggling bats.

Nolan McLean takes the ball for the Mets with a 4.01 ERA and a strong 1.14 WHIP, while Nick Lodolo counters for Cincinnati with a 5.21 ERA, a 2-1 record, and a 1.45 WHIP. Both pitchers are capable of keeping runs down, and against two offenses that have struggled to hit, the under is the natural play.

Pitching Matchup

McLean has been solid, with a 4.01 ERA and an excellent 1.14 WHIP that marks him as a pitcher who limits baserunners. Ramon noted that on paper McLean should continue to improve into a strong arm, and against a Cincinnati offense that has struggled, he profiles to keep the Reds in check.

Lodolo, a left-hander, has a 5.21 ERA but has shown he can be effective when right. Crucially, the Mets have struggled badly against left-handed pitching all season, going 5-12 against lefties, which gives Lodolo a favorable matchup even with his uneven numbers. That dynamic supports the under.

Two competent starters against two weak offenses is a clean under setup, and Ramon trusted both arms to keep the scoring down.

Two Weak Offenses

The defining feature of this matchup is how poorly both teams hit. Ramon pointed out that the Mets and Reds are two of the worst batting-average teams in the league and both rank in the bottom five in base hits. When two offenses this anemic face off, runs are hard to come by.

New York has been particularly inconsistent on the road, sitting around the bottom of the league offensively, and the Mets are 3-8 in their last 11 road games. The Reds, meanwhile, have actually dominated this matchup recently, winning six of the last seven meetings, but their offense is no juggernaut either.

The Reds won the first two games of this series 12-0 and 5-3, but the 12-0 outlier aside, this profiles as a low-scoring matchup between two struggling lineups. Ramon leaned on the broader offensive weakness rather than the lopsided opener.

Under Trends

The trends support the under. Cincinnati has stayed under in six of its last seven home games and four of its last five overall. With the Reds’ offense modest and McLean limiting baserunners, a low-scoring game at home fits the pattern.

The Mets’ struggles against left-handed pitching are a key factor, as Lodolo’s handedness gives him an edge. A New York lineup that hits .5-12 against lefties is unlikely to put up a big number, reinforcing the under.

Ramon acknowledged the chat leaned toward the Reds on the side, and he conceded he would probably like Cincinnati, but he chose the under because of the two very weak offenses. The under was the cleaner read.

Key Trends

The bottom-five base-hit rankings for both teams and the bottom-four batting averages are the headline numbers, and they paint a picture of a low-scoring game. Cincinnati’s 6-of-7 home under run and McLean’s 1.14 WHIP are the supporting trends.

The Mets’ 5-12 mark against lefties is the matchup edge for Lodolo, dampening New York’s run-scoring outlook. Both starters are capable of keeping the game low, which is the heart of the under.

The Reds’ recent dominance of the series suggests they may win, but a Cincinnati win does not require a high-scoring game, especially with both offenses this weak.

Where the Value Is

The play is the under. Ramon’s case rests on two of the league’s weakest offenses, the Mets’ struggles against lefties, decent starting pitching, and Cincinnati’s home under trends. The matchup profiles as a low-scoring game, and the under is the cleanest way to play it.

Backing the under sidesteps the question of which weak offense prevails and targets the most likely script: a low-scoring game where neither lineup does much damage. With both teams this anemic at the plate, the under has strong support.

Final Prediction

Ramon Scott is taking the under in Mets versus Reds, and that is the recommended play. Two of the league’s weakest offenses, the Mets’ struggles against lefties, and Cincinnati’s home under trends all point toward a low-scoring game.

Expect both lineups to struggle, the starters to keep the scoring down, and the total to land under. Play the under and trust the two weak offenses to keep the scoreboard quiet on getaway day.

Remember to gamble responsibly. Only wager what you can comfortably afford to lose, set firm limits before you bet, and treat every pick as analysis rather than a guarantee. If gambling stops being fun, step away and seek help.

The Road Factor

New York’s road struggles deepen the under case. The Mets are 3-8 in their last 11 road games, and their offense has been especially inconsistent away from Citi Field. A lineup that already ranks among the league’s worst in batting average and base hits becomes even less reliable on the road, which caps New York’s scoring potential against a competent Lodolo.

Cincinnati’s bullpen has been shaky at times, which is the one factor that could push toward the over, but the Reds’ offense being modest balances that out. With McLean limiting baserunners and the Mets struggling against a lefty on the road, the run-scoring windows are narrow.

Weighing the 12-0 Opener

The elephant in the room is the 12-0 Reds win to open the series, a result that might scare under bettors. But that was a clear outlier driven by a New York pitching meltdown, not a reflection of two suddenly potent offenses. The 5-3 second game is far more representative of how these weak lineups actually perform.

Ramon looked past the blowout and focused on the underlying offensive weakness of both teams. One lopsided game does not change the fact that these are two of the bottom-five offenses in baseball by base hits, and that profile points firmly to the under going forward.

Game Script

The likely script is a low-scoring game in which McLean and Lodolo both keep their opponents in check and neither weak offense breaks through for a big inning. The Mets’ troubles against lefties and their road woes are the key drags, while Cincinnati’s modest offense limits the upside on the other side.

Betting Bottom Line

The under is the disciplined play. Two of the league’s weakest offenses, the Mets’ struggles against left-handed pitching, decent starting pitching, and Cincinnati’s home under trends all point toward a low-scoring game. Look past the 12-0 outlier, take the under, and trust the anemic bats to keep the scoreboard quiet on getaway day.

Final Word

This is a total play built on a simple, durable fact: both the Mets and Reds rank among the worst offenses in baseball, sitting in the bottom five in base hits and the bottom four in batting average. Two competent starters in McLean and Lodolo, the latter holding a handedness edge over a Mets lineup that is 5-12 against lefties, only deepen the case. New York’s road struggles and Cincinnati’s home under trends complete the picture.

Expect a grinding, low-scoring game in which neither offense does much damage and both pitchers keep the scoreboard quiet. The 12-0 opener was an outlier driven by a pitching meltdown, not a sign of two dangerous lineups. Take the under, trust the anemic bats, and let the pitching and offensive weakness carry the ticket on getaway day in Cincinnati.

For bettors building a card around pitching and offensive weakness, this Mets-Reds matchup is a clean under look: two bottom-five offenses, a left-hander in Lodolo who matches up well against a Mets lineup that cannot hit lefties, and a Cincinnati side that has stayed under in six of its last seven at home. It is a low-variance way to lean on the bats staying quiet, and it is the position Ramon trusts on getaway day.

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Ramon Scott

Ramon Scott is a sports handicapper, market analyst, and bettor based in Las Vegas with over 30 years of experience. He covers major US sports — NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL — and college football and basketball, as well as top international soccer leagues. Ramon's selections rely on a mix of opening ratings, injury reports, public betting trends, contrarian analysis, and line movement to identify true value. He analyzes entire wagering cards daily, combining skill, discipline, and market insight to create reasonable and profitable betting strategies. Ramon has written for gambling publications, appeared on television, radio, and streaming platforms, and provides information that's both entertaining and actionable for bettors at every level. Follow Ramon on X: @RamonScottMedia