Cincinnati @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 24, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 0, Cincinnati 1

The Chicago Cubs let a series win slip away in the late innings on Thursday and have been unreliable at the end of games throughout the first month. The Cincinnati Reds, who open a three-game series at the Cubs on Friday, had a bullpen that was the envy of most teams in spring training but has been inconsistent except for Aroldis Chapman at the end. The Reds will be looking to curb a two-game slide and they have dropped five of seven.

Cincinnati’s big problem of late has been run scoring, as it has averaged two runs over the last seven contests. Jay Bruce has gotten some wrath from fans and has one home run on the season while former MVP Joey Votto is getting on base 44 percent of the time but being stranded. The Cubs aren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard either and are coming off a crushing loss in which they grabbed a lead in the seventh inning only to watch the staff surrender four runs in the next inning as the game slipped away. Chicago played the Reds tight in Cincinnati from April 22-24, taking two games to extra innings before dropping the rubber game 1-0.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (1-1, 4.34 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Carlos Villanueva (1-1, 2.29)

Leake went at least six innings in each of his first four turns but was knocked around for four runs (three earned) and six hits in three innings to absorb his first loss at Washington on Saturday. The 25-year-old surrendered two runs and eight hits in seven innings against the Cubs on April 22, but did not factor in the decision. Leake is 4-2 with a 3.46 ERA in 11 career starts against the division rivals.

Villanueva has been let down by the bullpen several times already, coming away with one win despite pitching into the seventh inning and allowing two or fewer runs in each of his first four starts. The veteran right-hander finally slipped up a bit at Miami on Sunday, yielding a season-high four runs in six innings to suffer a loss. Villanueva worked 8 1/3 innings at Cincinnati on April 23 and allowed two runs on three hits in a no decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs RH Matt Garza (left lat) came out of his first rehab start Wednesday well and is on track to make another next week.

2. The Reds acquired veteran INF Mark Teahen from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor-league depth. He has not played in the majors since 2011.

3. Cincinnati is 3-10 on the road.

PREDICTION: Reds 3, Cubs 2