Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 14, 2013 ) Milwaukee 3, Cincinnati 4

The Cincinnati Reds will try to maintain their home dominance against the Milwaukee Brewers when the National League Central rivals continue a three-game series on Saturday. With Friday's 4-3 win in 10 innings in the series opener, Cincinnati has won its last five and 11 of the last 13 versus Milwaukee at home. The Reds have won five of the last six series overall against the Brewers.

Coupled with a St. Louis loss, Cincinnati was able to move within 2 1/2 games of the first-place Cardinals in the division and improved to 23-11 at Great American Ball Park. The Brewers, meanwhile, fell to 11-19 on the road and 10-19 against division opponents. Milwaukee starters, who have had their fair share of struggles this season, have posted quality starts in their last five games - recording a 1.29 ERA in the process.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (5-6, 4.74 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (4-4, 3.47)

Gallardo has lasted just four innings on two occasions this year, the first in Cincinnati on May 10 when he walked a season high-tying five men. That outing started a 2-4 stretch for the right-hander, who rebounded with eight scoreless innings at Miami on Monday. Gallardo recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in the process.

After ending May on a sour note, Bailey has yielded three earned runs in 15 innings this month. He dominated the Chicago Cubs through eight innings of a victory at Wrigley Field on Monday. Bailey is 1-5 with a 5.81 ERA in 11 career starts against Milwaukee, but shut down the Brewers in eight innings while striking out 10 the last time he faced them on July 20.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gallardo has walked 33 batters in 58 1/3 innings at Great American Ball Park.

2. Milwaukee 2B Rickie Weeks is 11-for-24 with two homers against Bailey.

3. Brewers LF Ryan Braun was placed on the disabled list after missing four straight games with an injured thumb.

PREDICTION: Reds 5, Brewers 3