Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2010 ) Cincinnati 10, Milwaukee 2
The Cincinnati Reds are making their push for the playoffs now and look to extend their lead in the NL Central against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on Monday.
The Reds are riding a hot streak, having won 11 of their last 15 games after taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs over the weekend.
Cincinnati (75-55) was in a back-and-forth battle against the Cubs on Sunday, but managed to pick up two runs in the eighth inning to secure a 7-5 win that moved it five games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals in the division.
The Reds continue to get it done with some big nights at the plate. They have won four of their last five, putting up 28 runs over that span.
Cincinnati outfielder Jay Bruce had a huge weekend against the Cubs, going 5-for-10 with four home runs and six RBIs. He’s also hitting .368 against the Brewers this season.
Milwaukee (62-68) finished off a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, but hasn’t had much luck against the Reds this year - winning just one of 10 games.
Milwaukee goes with Randy Wolf (10-10, 4.74 ERA) to face Cincinnati’s lineup on Monday.
Wolf had a personal three-game win streak snapped last week when he yielded four runs in five innings en route to a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A matchup against the Reds might be just what he needs to get back on track.
Wolf is 9-2 lifetime against Cincinnati with a 3.07 ERA. He allowed two runs over seven innings the last time he faced the Reds, taking a no-decision in a 3-2 win on July 26.
Cincinnati counters with right-hander Homer Bailey (3-2, 4.83 ERA). Bailey looks to be settling in fine after missing nearly three months with shoulder inflammation, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.95 ERA over his last three outings.
Bailey did give up five earned runs over 5 1/3 innings in his most recent start at the San Francisco Giants. He was tagged for nine hits while striking out four and walking two.
The hurler is 0-2 lifetime against the Brewers with a 6.56 ERA.
Cincinnati isn’t sure whether All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips will be ready to return to the lineup on Monday.
Phillips has missed three straight games after being hit in the hand with a pitch last Wednesday. The Reds are working with a short bench with Laynce Nix and Miguel Cairo both injured as well.