Cincinnati @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( May 28, 2013 ) Cleveland 2, Cincinnati 8

Two-thirds of the way through May, the Cleveland Indians sat nine games over .500 and led the American League Central by 2 1/2 games. As Cleveland hosts in-state rival Cincinnati on Wednesday for the first of two games, the Indians look to recover from a miserable stretch in which they have lost seven of their past eight contests - including a season-high five in a row. Cleveland will be happy to take on the Reds at home. Cincinnati leads the majors with 20 home victories, but the Reds have dropped their past seven games in Cleveland.

Cleveland right-hander Justin Masterson starts the series opener, looking to join Tampa Bay's Matt Moore as eight-game winners. The Reds counter with Bronson Arroyo, who has won his past three starts. Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto went 2-for-4 in Tuesday’s 8-2 victory over the Indians, raising his National League-leading average to .354.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (5-4, 3.39 ERA) vs. Indians RH Justin Masterson (7-3, 3.20).

Arroyo has been outstanding during his three-start winning streak, allowing just three earned runs in 20 1/3 innings while beating the Brewers, Phillies and Cubs. The right-hander has shaved nearly a run off his ERA while walking just five hitters and allowing 16 hits. Arroyo has made nine career starts and one relief appearance against Cleveland, going 5-5 with a 5.14 ERA.

Masterson gave up five earned runs on six hits Friday at Boston, snapping a three-start winning streak. The right-hander has thrown two complete-game shutouts in his first 11 starts. Masterson is 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA in four career starts against Cincinnati, firing a complete-game three-hitter with nine strikeouts against the Reds on June 20, 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland slugger Jason Giambi is hitting 6-for-19 lifetime off Arroyo with three homers.

2. Cincinnati lost eight of its first nine road games, but has won 12 of its past 16 away from home.

3. The Indians are 8-3 in Masterson’s 11 starts.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Reds 2