Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 30, 2012 ) Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 3

After scoring one run in their last 18 innings, the Cincinnati Reds look to get back on track Friday when they open a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates. Reds first baseman Joey Votto is batting .290, but he has just two extra-base hits and zero homers through nine games. Votto, who leads the National League in walks with 12, said his surgically-repaired knee has not impacted his power. "I'm getting there," he told reporters. "I feel like I'm headed in the right direction.”

The Pirates are beginning a 10-game homestand Friday after winning two of three in Arizona. The team has scored three runs or fewer in seven of its first nine games, and shortstop Clint Barmes is off to a dismal start with two hits in his first 23 at-bats. Left fielder Starling Marte has been a rare bright spot in the Pirates lineup while batting .333 with four RBI. The 24-year-old lead-off hitter has gone 10-for-21 (.476) with two doubles and a triple in the last five games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (0-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (0-2, 3.27)

Leake did not receive a decision in his season debut last Saturday against the Nationals, when he allowed four runs on six hits over six innings. All four runs came on a pair of two-run homers by Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos. Neil Walker is 7-for-20 (.350) with nine RBIs and Andrew McCutchen is 6-for-30 (.200) with a home run against Leake, who is 2-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 11 career starts against the Pirates and 0-3 with a 2.68 ERA in six career appearances at PNC Park.

Burnett has picked up where he left off last season, when he won at least 10 games for the eighth straight year. The 36-year-old Burnett is coming off a strong start against the Dodgers last Saturday, when he struck out nine and allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings. He’s 5-5 with a 4.06 ERA in 12 career starts against Cincinnati, including 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA in five starts last season. Shin-Soo Choo is 3-for-18 (.167) with a home run against Burnett, while Brandon Phillips is 5-for-16 (.313).

WALK-OFFS

1. Leake’s 46 career hits as a batter are the most by any major league pitcher over the last three-plus seasons.

2. Pirates LHP Wandy Rodriguez is expected to miss his scheduled start this Sunday due to a left hamstring strain.

3. Cincinnati placed LHP Sean Marshall (left shoulder tendinitis) on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday and recalled RHP Logan Ondrusek from Double-A Pensacola.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Reds 3