Cincinnati @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( May 15, 2013 ) Cincinnati 4, Miami 0

The Cincinnati Reds' big hitters have overshadowed some good pitching over the last three games. Mat Latos will try to give the Reds another good effort on the mound as they try to complete a three-game sweep at the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Reds starting pitchers have allowed two earned runs in 22 1/3 innings over three contests and their teammates produced 15 runs in that span. Cincinnati has won a season-high five games and nine of its last 11, while the Marlins have dropped seven of eight.

Shin-Soo Choo has punished the Marlins with 12 hits in their six meetings this season -- five won by the Reds -- while Joey Votto is 8-for-17 in the last four games overall. Miami has been shut out seven times, including 4-0 Wednesday when it left 12 on base. Rookie Derek Dietrich has hit safely in his first five major-league contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (4-0, 3.04 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (2-2, 3.65)

Latos yielded seven runs (six earned) in six innings to Milwaukee in his last outing, but still won his fourth straight start as the Reds rolled 13-7. The right-hander had surrendered three or fewer earned runs in his first seven starts. Latos allowed one run over seven innings in his first-ever meeting with the Marlins on April 19 without getting a decision. Miguel Olivo is 2-for-3 with a homer against Latos.

Fernandez has won his last two starts, allowing three runs in 13 innings to beat Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Opponents are batting only .213 against the 20-year-old and he has 39 strikeouts in 37 innings. His worst turn was against Cincinnati, when he gave up five runs on six hits in four innings on April 18. Choo and Zack Cozart were 2-for-3 against Fernandez in that contest.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati RF Jay Bruce is 9-for-25 with four doubles and two homers during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Miami OF Chris Coghlan has six pinch hits, tied for second most in the majors.

3. Votto is batting .400 with 26 hits in 18 road games this season, and has a .332 average in his career away from home.

PREDICTION: Reds 4, Marlins 2