San Diego @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( May 14, 2014 ) San Diego 0, Cincinnati 0

A strong pitching duel is on tap when San Diego’s Ian Kennedy and Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto square off in the opener of Thursday’s doubleheader, necessitated by Wednesday’s postponement due to rain. Kennedy will be on the mound for the visiting Padres after striking out a season-best 12 in seven innings in a no-decision in his last turn while Cueto hasn’t allowed more than two runs or five hits in any of his eight starts and leads the majors in ERA. San Diego’s Tyson Ross will likely oppose Alfredo Simon in the nightcap.

The Padres have won four consecutive games but had only three hits while winning Tuesday’s series opener by a 2–1 score. Third baseman Chase Headley hit a ninth-inning homer off Aroldis Chapman and outfielder Seth Smith had the lone two hits off Reds starter Mike Leake, who limited San Diego to one run over eight innings. Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin (knee) made his season debut on Tuesday and went 0-for-3 with a walk and is slated to start one of Thursday’s two games.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Ian Kennedy (2-4, 3.12 ERA) vs. Reds RH Johnny Cueto (3-2, 1.43)

Kennedy has fared well against Cincinnati in four previous outings, going 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA. He is 1-1 over his last four starts despite allowing just one run in three of them. Kennedy has struck out 28 and walked just three in 19 innings over his last three turns.

Cueto has allowed just five runs and 17 hits in 42 innings over his last five starts. He gave up two runs and five hits in an eight-inning no-decision against Colorado in his last turn after yielding three hits in four consecutive starts. Cueto has struggled against the Padres, going 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA in five career outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Smith, the reigning National League Player of the Week, is 19-for-36 during a nine-game hitting streak.

2. Reds 3B Todd Frazier has three homers and 11 RBIs during a career-best 12-game hitting streak.

3. San Diego RHP Huston Street has converted 12 straight save opportunities this season and 37 of his last 38.

PREDICTION: Reds 3, Padres 0