Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2010 ) Milwaukee 4, Cincinnati 7

Edinson Volquez has bigger fish to fry.

Aaron Harang gets the start for the Cincinnati Reds as they host the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon in the regular-season finale.

Volquez was scheduled to start, but he was told on Friday and it was announced to the press Saturday that he was selected as a surprise starter in Cincinnati's Game 1 of the National League Division Series on the road - most likely against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Volquez returned at midseason after elbow surgery in August 2009. The right-hander was banished to the bullpen for a few weeks in August but has gone 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA in four starts since rejoining the starting rotation.

With Volquez bumped from today’s start to make the biggest one of his career, one-time Reds ace Harang (6-7, 5.25 ERA) will take the hill.

The 32-year-old right-hander had consecutive 16-wins seasons in 2006-07 but has won just 18 games combined the last three years while fighting various arm issues. He led the National League with 17 losses in 2008.

Harang has pitched just four times since Aug. 1 and lasted just 6 1/3 frames in his last two starts. His last two appearances have been out of the pen.

In 20 career appearances – 19 starts – against the Brewers, Harang has a 5-5 record with a 4.58 ERA. He will be seeking his first victory since beating Cleveland on June 25.

Harang will be matched against another wily veteran in Randy Wolf (13-11, 4.18 ERA). Wolf has had a fine run in the second half to boost his win total to the highest since 2003.

The left-hander is 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA in his last five starts and 6-2 with a 2.57 ERA in his last 12. He has the most wins this season of any southpaw 33 years or older.

Wolf blasted the Reds 13-1 on Sept. 22, allowing just a run in six innings. He’s allowed five runs in 12 innings in two no-decisions against Cincinnati this season.

He has dominated the Reds in his career, going 10-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 19 starts.

Jay Bruce hit a pair of home runs to lift Cincinnati to a 7-4 victory in Saturday’s game.

Milwaukee has won eight of its last 12 games.