Chicago @ Cincinnati preview

Chi. Cubs at Cincinnati

Last Meeting ( Apr 22, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 4, Cincinnati 5

The Cincinnati Reds keep finding ways to win, and the Chicago Cubs keep finding ways to lose. One team will try to stay the course and the other will try to change its course when the National League Central rivals continue their three-game series Tuesday at Great American Ball Park. The Reds scored three runs in the 13th inning Monday to claim a 5-4 victory in the opener, their fifth straight win over the Cubs and their 10th win in the past 11 meetings.

Cincinnati has won seven of eight on its current homestand, though it did plenty to try to give one away in the series opener — but the Cubs couldn't take advantage. The Reds made three errors in extra innings alone on Monday — they had made only five in their first 19 games — and managed only five hits through the first 12 innings before collecting four in the three-run 13th. The Cubs have lost four straight and seven of eight, and they're 2-5 in one-run games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Carlos Villanueva (1-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. Reds LH Tony Cingrani (1-0, 1.80)

Villanueva not only is making a case to remain in the rotation when Matt Garza returns, but he has been the Cubs' most consistent starter so far, posting quality starts in each of his three outings. He picked up his first win last Thursday, holding Texas to two runs over seven innings. In 20 appearances (five starts) against the Reds, Villanueva is 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA.

Cingrani was solid in his first major-league start Thursday against Miami, racking up eight strikeouts while holding the Marlins to one run over five innings to earn his first big-league win. He had trouble with his command at times and needed 102 pitches to get through five, thanks to the high strikeout total and three walks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds pitchers have struck out 10 or more batters in five consecutive games for the first time since 1900, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Cincinnati pitchers have racked up 83 strikeouts over the past seven games.

2. Cubs SS Starlin Castro is riding a 14-game hitting streak, the longest in the majors.

3. Reds OF Shin-Soo Choo (19 games) and C Devin Mesoraco (nine games) have reached base in every game they have played this season.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Cubs 3