Cincinnati @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( May 29, 2013 ) Cincinnati 2, Cleveland 5

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips would not mind if his team played the rival Cleveland Indians more often. The two Ohio clubs conclude four consecutive games against each other Thursday when the Indians host the Reds. Phillips, who hit .206 in 432 at-bats from 2002-2005 with the Indians, is .353 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 44 career contests against his former team. He is 4-for-11 in the three games against Cleveland.

Regardless of the opposition, the Indians are happy when playing at home. Cleveland improved to 16-10 at Progressive Field with Wednesday’s 5-2 victory over the Reds. Cincinnati leads the majors with 20 home victories, but has lost its past eight games at Cleveland. Homer Bailey looks to get the Reds on track in the series finale, while Cleveland counters with Scott Kazmir.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (3-3, 3.08 ERA) vs. Indians LH Scott Kazmir (2-2, 5.94).

Bailey shook off a rough start this month by going 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his past three starts. The 27-year-old has struck out 21 hitters in those three starts - including fanning eight while allowing two earned runs on five hits in six innings Saturday against the Cubs. Bailey is 2-2 with a 5.28 ERA in six career starts against the Indians.

Kazmir has struggled in his first season with the Indians, but has pitched much better at home (2-0, 4.80 ERA). The left-hander gave up two runs on five hits in five innings Saturday against Boston, after surrendering nine runs on 13 hits in eight innings in his previous two starts. A nine-year veteran, Kazmir has never faced Cincinnati in his 187 career appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto homered Wednesday and is hitting .413 in his past 28 games to raise his average from .278 to .352. His batting average trails only Milwaukee’s Jean Segura in the National League.

2. Cleveland DH Jason Giambi went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Wednesday’s victory. He snapped an 0-for-24 skid with a solo homer Monday against the Reds.

3. The Reds have homered in their past nine road games, the franchise’s longest streak since going deep in 10 consecutive road contests in 2005.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Reds 3