Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 14, 2013 ) Cincinnati 7, Pittsburgh 10

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to dominate opponents at home - and the Cincinnati Reds know all about it. Pittsburgh will try to keep that trend going when the National League Central division rivals open a three-game set Friday night at PNC Park. Included in the Pirates' 20-9 mark at home is a three-game sweep of the Reds in April. Pittsburgh, which was 3-6 when that series began, has won 31 of 45 games.

The Pirates also enter on an extreme high after taking three straight to finish an interleague set against Detroit, capped by a 1-0 win in 11 innings Thursday. Russell Martin's bases-loaded single ended the contest. Cincinnati saw starter Homer Bailey struggle in a 7-1 loss to Cleveland and has dropped the first two of five straight away from home.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Johnny Cueto (2-0, 2.76 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Wandy Rodriguez (6-2, 3.58)

In his first visit to PNC Park this year, Cueto's season was sidetracked when he strained a back muscle one out into the fifth inning and landed on the disabled list. He has made two starts since returning, allowing four runs and just seven hits in 12 innings. Cueto stirred things up in a solid outing against the Cubs on Sunday, throwing a pitch over the head of outfielder David DeJesus and drawing the ire of Chicago starter Matt Garza. Cueto is 12-4 all-time against Pittsburgh and owns a sterling 7-2 mark with a 2.09 ERA in 12 starts at PNC Park.

Rodriguez has won four straight starts, although he has lasted as many as seven innings just once in the run. He gave up three runs in five innings in a victory over Milwaukee on Sunday. While it snapped Rodriguez's string of four straight quality starts, he registered his second consecutive outing without allowing a home run or a walk. The lefty is 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA at home this year, but 8-11 with a 4.33 mark in his career against Cincinnati.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nine of Pittsburgh's last 13 games have been decided by one run. It is 7-2 in those contests.

2. Reds RF Jay Bruce is 2-for-32 with 16 strikeouts against Rodriguez.

3. This will be the 1,000th game played at PNC Park.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Reds 3