Cincinnati @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 3, 2013 ) Cincinnati 6, Chi. Cubs 5

The Chicago Cubs nearly did the impossible on Friday by coming back against Aroldis Chapman. After falling one run short in the opener, the Cubs will be looking to even the series when they host the Cincinnati Reds again on Saturday. The Reds picked up just their fourth road win in Friday’s opener and got some run production out of Jay Bruce with a pair of RBIs. Chicago has dropped four of six.

Cincinnati has had some questions about its bullpen in the first month but Chapman had not been part of the problem. The left-hander came into the series having allowed one run on the season but tried to close out a four-run lead on Friday and allowed three runs on four hits and a pair of walks in the ninth. J.J. Hoover had to come in and get the last out with the bases loaded. The Cubs had 15 hits on Friday but left 12 men on base. Clutch hitting has been a problem for Chicago, which is in the top third in the majors in slugging percentage but the bottom third in runs scored.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), Comcast SportsNet Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds LH Tony Cingrani (2-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (1-4, 3.35)

Cingrani has been excellent in his first three major-league starts, allowing a total of three runs in 18 innings while striking out 28. His lone no-decision in that span came against the Cubs on April 23, when the 23-year-old was reached for two runs and five hits in seven innings. Cingrani relies on some deception and will get the first big test of his career when that Chicago lineup gets a second look at his delivery.

Samardzija has 47 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings but has not found his way into the win column since beating the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day. The right-hander was a tough-luck loser against Cincinnati on April 24, when he allowed a solo homer to Todd Frazier in the sixth inning as the Cubs fell 1-0. Samardzija struck out eight and scattered seven hits in that contest. He has posted a 1-2 record with a 4.09 ERA in 17 career games (three starts) against the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati’s team website auctioned off a bloodied baseball used by Samardzija in his April 24 start at Great American Ball Park. Samardzija cut his hand on a comebacker early in that contest. The ball sold for $130.01.

2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 13-for-30 over his last eight games to lift his average from .173 to .243.

3. The eight batters Chapman faced Friday marked a single-game season high.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Reds 4