Cincinnati @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2014 ) Cincinnati 5, St. Louis 7

If the Cincinnati Reds want to challenge in the rough-and-tumble National League Central Division, they better figure out a way to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. St. Louis on Wednesday will look for its fifth victory in six meetings this season with Cincinnati when it tries for a three-game sweep of the Reds. The Cardinals even spotted Cincinnati an early four-run lead Tuesday before storming back for a 7-5 victory as all five games with the Reds have been decided by one or two runs.

Peter Bourjos started the season 0-for-13 but St. Louis' new center fielder is 5-for-9 in the last two games with four runs scored after collecting three hits Tuesday. The Cardinals continued their dominance of Cincinnati by clinching their 26th series victory against only three series losses and two splits versus the Reds since 2003. Cincinnati's Mike Leake lost his opener after a breakout 2013 season and will oppose Shelby Miller, who is happy to face any team other than the Pittsburgh Pirates.

TV: 1:45 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Shelby Miller (0-1, 8.44)

Leake allowed four runs and five hits, including a pair of home runs to Lucas Duda, in 6 2/3 innings of Cincinnati's 4-3 loss to the Mets in New York on Friday. The 26-year-old San Diego native was 14-7 with a 3.37 ERA last season, but 0-2, 8.27 in three starts against St. Louis and is 2-4, 5.96 in nine career appearances (eight starts) versus the Cardinals. Matt Holiday has feasted on Leake (10-for-23, homer, three doubles, six RBIs) while Matt Adams and Yadier Molina have also gone deep.

Miller is 0-5 with a 5.92 ERA in five starts against the Pirates and 16-5, 2.34 in 33 appearances against everyone else after allowing five runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 12-2 loss at Pittsburgh on Friday. The 23-year-old Houston native is 1-0 with a 3.24 ERA in three starts against Cincinnati - all last season. The Reds' roster is hitting .214 in 42 at-bats against Miller, with Brandon Phillips (3-for-8, home run) having the most experience and success against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Leake's 57 hits since breaking into the major leagues in 2010 are the most by a pitcher during that span.

2. Cincinnati C Devin Mesoraco (oblique) played his first game of the season Tuesday after coming off the disabled list Monday and was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles.

3. Reds rookie speedster Billy Hamilton went 1-for-5 with an RBI on Tuesday is 2-for-22 with seven strikeouts and was caught stealing in his only attempt this season.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Reds 2