Cincinnati @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 30, 2013 ) Cincinnati 9, Arizona 0

The Cincinnati Reds have been among the best home teams in baseball this season, but they should be thrilled about starting a road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Cincinnati has won 12 of its last 14 games in Chase Field, including a three-game sweep there last August. The Reds are 25-9 all-time in Arizona when the roof is closed at the stadium, but just 4-11 when it is open.

Cincinnati is coming off a four-game split against Pittsburgh at home, capped by a 5-3 loss on Thursday. The Reds have averaged just 2.8 runs over their last nine games and have been shut out twice in that span. The first-place Diamondbacks have won two straight following a season high-tying four-game losing streak. They are 19-15 at home but have a negative-9 run differential at Chase Field.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), Fox Sports Arizona (Arizona)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Johnny Cueto (4-0, 2.08 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (4-6, 4.64)

As long as he remains healthy, Cueto can be an elite starting pitcher. As it stands, he is unbeaten in 10 starts going back to last year and has held opponents to one run or less in five of his seven outings this year, a campaign that has twice been interrupted by injury. In his return from the disabled list Sunday, the righty gave up one run in six frames to defeat Milwaukee. Cueto is 5-0 with a 1.66 ERA against Arizona.

Miley has made just two home starts since the end of April and neither went well, as he gave up 14 runs (13 earned) in 8 2/3 innings in those last two Chase Field outings. Overall, the 26-year-old is 1-5 with a 6.47 ERA in his last seven starts. On the plus side, he has lasted at least six innings in each of his last four outings. Miley is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in two starts against the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds RF Jay Bruce has homered in five of his last seven games.

2. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt and C Miguel Montero, the team's 3-4 hitters in most games, are a combined 0-for-13 against Cueto.

3. Diamondbacks 2B Aaron Hill (hand) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on Saturday and could be activated over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Reds 5, Diamondbacks 3