Cincinnati @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( May 18, 2013 ) Cincinnati 10, Philadelphia 0
With their first season-series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies since 2003 already guaranteed, the Cincinnati Reds will attempt to collect their third straight series win overall when they host the Phillies in the rubber match of a three-game series. The Reds, who have won four of five against Philadelphia by a combined 29-9, improved to 9-3 over their last 12 road games in Saturday’s 10-0 victory. Joey Votto went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer and reached base in all six plate appearances.
The Phillies were blanked for the fourth time this season at Citizens Bank Park, where they have only won four of their last 11 contests. Three of their shutouts have come over that stretch, although Sunday’s starter – Jonathan Pettibone – has not had to deal with Philadelphia’s offensive struggles in any of his starts. However, the rookie will likely need to be in top form against a Reds team averaging 6.3 runs and hitting .342 with runners in scoring position during a 7-1 stretch.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), WB17 (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (2-3, 3.51 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jonathan Pettibone (3-0, 3.41)
Bailey turned in his best start of the season in Tuesday’s 6-2 victory over Miami, tossing a complete game and matching a career high with 10 strikeouts. The right-hander held the Marlins to two runs on six hits, collecting his first win since his season debut April 5. Bailey was dominant in his first start against the Phillies on April 16 but settled for a no-decision, striking out 10 over eight frames in a 1-0 win. However, he is 0-3 with a 4.24 ERA in seven all-time starts against Philadelphia.
Pettibone remained undefeated over his first five major-league starts while filling in for the injured John Lannan, getting a win for the third time in four outings during Tuesday’s 6-2 victory over Cleveland. The 2008 third-round selection gave up two runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings – the longest outing of his career – and has yet to surrender more than three runs in a start. Pettibone, who will see the Reds for the first time, is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA at Citizens Bank Park.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia has been shut out six times in 2013 – matching its total from last season.
2. A win Sunday would give the Reds their first series victory in Philadelphia since 2006.
3. Cincinnati has scored more than 10 runs seven times through 43 games – one game shy of doubling its total in 167 games last season (including postseason).
PREDICTION: Reds 5, Phillies 4