Cincinnati @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( May 8, 2016 ) Milwaukee 5, Cincinnati 4

It was on a visit to Milwaukee late last season when the Cincinnati Reds began what would become a 13-game losing streak, their longest since 1945. They return to Miller Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series against the Brewers carrying with them another double-digit slide, this time a 10-gamer that has seen the club falter in virtually every department.

"None of you guys can imagine what it's like to lose 10 straight games," Reds manager Bryan Price told reporters after a 3-1 loss to the host Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. "So I'll tell you: It's miserable." Cincinnati is batting .187 during its skid, and its staff has produced an ugly 6.85 ERA, even after Dan Straily put forth a nice effort in Wednesday's loss. Ryan Braun and Jonathan Villar homered to help the Brewers to a 6-2 triumph in Atlanta on Thursday that completed a three-game sweep. Milwaukee is seeking its first four-game winning streak since a six-game run from Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2015.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds LH John Lamb (0-2, 5.40 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (1-3, 5.75)

Lamb fell to 1-7 in his career after allowing four runs (three earned) in six innings of a 4-0 setback against Seattle on Saturday. The 25-year-old limited the Brewers to a run and two hits in four frames on May 8 before departing that start with a sprained thumb. He yielded two runs over six innings while striking out a career-high eight in his only career start at Milwaukee last August.

Davies went 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA in this first three starts this month but was knocked around for four runs in 5 1/3 innings by the host New York Mets on Saturday. The one-time Baltimore product has lasted beyond six frames just once in seven appearances this season. He posted a quality start in his only encounter with the Reds last season, serving up a solo homer to Jay Bruce.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braun has belted 32 career homers versus the Reds - his highest total against any team.

2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is a .337 hitter in 55 career games at Miller Park.

3. Bruce is 2-for-21 over a six-game span.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Reds 3