Tampa Bay @ Cincinnati preview

Tampa Bay at Cincinnati

Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2011 ) Cincinnati 4, Tampa Bay 3

The Tampa Bay Rays haven't generated much offense lately, but they didn't need much in the opener of a three-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds. The Rays hope to get the bats going and look for another strong performance on the mound when they continue their road trip Saturday against the Reds, who have lost seven of their first 10 games. The Rays snapped a five-game interleague losing streak with Friday's 2-1 win in the series opener, getting a home run from Matt Joyce and a stellar outing from David Price.

Tampa Bay turns to 26-year-old Alex Cobb to try to keep it going, and he might need an equally strong showing. The Rays have scored only eight runs in their past five games, though they've managed to win two of them. The Reds haven't done much with the bats either, though, and they didn't muster a run until Joey Votto's ninth-inning home run in the opener.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Alex Cobb (0-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Reds RH Alfredo Simon (1-0, 1.29)

Cobb is still looking for his first win of the season, but he's coming off a stellar outing in which he shut out Texas for seven innings and allowed only three hits. He didn't get the decision in the 3-0 loss, but it was a big rebound from a rocky season debut against Toronto. Cobb is 4-1 with a 3.52 ERA in six interleague starts.

Simon primarily has been used as a reliever in his career, but he proved to be a solid stand-in for injured veteran Mat Latos in his first start of the season. The 32-year-old struck out six and held the Mets to one run on four hits over seven innings in his first start since 2011. Simon has faced the Rays eight times (three starts) and is 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria, who is 4-for-13 with two homers against Simon, is tied with Carlos Pena for the franchise home run record with 163.

2. Reds RF Jay Bruce has 99 career home runs at Great American Ball Park.

3. Rays LHP Matt Moore plans to play catch to test his injured left elbow in hopes of avoiding season-ending surgery.

PREDICTION: Reds 4, Rays 3