Nine straight games is a pretty impressive feat, but ten is a whole ’nother matter, don’t you think? It’s, like, double digits. That’s just what the Mets (51-44) will try to do tonight against the Cincinnati Reds (46-50) at Great American Ballpark. Like the Mets, the Reds had been playing a little better right before the break, winning seven of their previous ten games.

In the first game back from the break, the Mets are sending Johan Santana (8-7, 2.84) to oppose Johnny Cueto (7-9, 4.67). They’ll be followed by John Maine (8-6, 3.99) and Bronson Arroyo (7-7, 5.97). After that, the Mets will throw the resurgent Oliver Perez (6-5, 4.44) and Pedro Martinez (3-2, 6.25). Nobody seems to know who’ll throw those last two games for the Reds, so I’ve decided to do something a little different this time out. I’ll post the first two matchups now, and I’ll save the remaining two for before game time on Saturday.

Game 1: Johnny Cueto, RHP

What’s the Story? You can find the scouting report on Cueto here.

This Year: Cueto pitched against the Mets on May 11th, proving to be pretty hittable on that day. He lasted only 4.2 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks, striking out five. Of the eight hits, five went for extra-bases, including homeruns to Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church.

What to Expect: Homeruns are a familiar problem for Cueto. He’s an extreme flyball pitcher, so he might be wise to adapt his style of pitching whenever he’s working in the hitting-friendly confines of his home stadium, perhaps by utilizing his two-seamer more frequently. As it is, he’ll throw the fastball in to lefties, away to righties, and when he gets to two strikes he’ll try to get hitters with the slider or a changeup out of the strike zone. Generally, you can expect him to stick around the strike zone.

Game 2: Bronson Arroyo, RHP

What’s the Story? Arroyo’s scouting report is here.

This Year: Arroyo pitched against the Mets in the second game of a doubleheader on May 10th and was fantastic. He threw a season-high eight innings, allowing only one run on four hits and a pair of walks, striking out nine.

What to Expect: When Arroyo has velocity on his fastball and doesn’t get too much of the plate with his pitches—as he did during his last appearance against the Mets—he can be a tough opponent for any team. Arroyo only throws his fastball 44% of the time, but when he spots it well and it’s got some velocity to it, it makes his breaking stuff much more effective. Sometimes, he doesn’t have the same bite on those offspeed pitches, also, occasionally leaving hanging curves up in the zone. Arroyo’s had a very up-and-down season, so it’s difficult to know which version we’re going to see.

Overall (Games 1 and 2): I think Johan and the Mets will beat Cueto and the Reds to make it ten straight. But I think the streak will end there—Arroyo seems to have the Mets’ number, and Maine’s been the team’s worst pitcher lately. As for the rest, you’ll have to wait; those predictions will come with the rest of the preview.