This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the UNDER Mets/Reds.

Both teams come in off uncharacteristically high-scoring series to open up the second-half, but I expect a return to the "norm" here in the opener of this one.

The Mets lost two of three to the Pirates, but they're off a 7-6 win last night. Previous to that they lost 9-7.

The Reds lost all three games here at home to the Brewers, as Cincinnati went on to get outscored by a combined 25-10.

Both teams are dealing with significant injuries.

Jerad Eickhoff (0-1, 4.97 ERA) gets the call for the Mets and he's making his fourth appearance of the year for New York. I think the fourth year pro makes the most of this opportunity, going up against Reds' rookie Vladamir Gutierrez, who is 4-3 with a 4.29 ERA.

Gutierrez most recently gave up one run over six innings in an unfortunate no-decision to the Brewers on Saturday.

I say the injuries catch up to these line-ups and I like these two hungry starters to battle deep.

This number is a little high, the play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP