Arizona @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2014 ) Arizona 0, Cincinnati 3

The Cincinnati Reds found a sliver of stability Tuesday thanks to Mike Leake, and Wednesday it is Alfredo Simon’s turn to help the Reds shake off a horrid start to the post All-Star break schedule. The Reds host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a three-game series Wednesday afternoon and Simon – who won 12 games before the break but is 0-2 since – looks to follow up Leake’s 7 2/3 shutout innings that gave Cincinnati its second victory in the past 11 games. Arizona spoiled a solid start from Trevor Cahill in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss, but the Diamondbacks got second baseman Aaron Hill back into the lineup after he missed two games with a bruised right hand.

The Diamondbacks’ bullpen, which features several players who could be elsewhere by the time Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline arrives, has shined the last two games. Arizona relievers have fired 10 scoreless innings in the series – eight coming in Monday’s 15-inning victory – with three hits allowed and 12 strikeouts. Cincinnati, hard hit by injuries to Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips, lost yet another position player on Tuesday when Jay Bruce was placed on the bereavement list.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (6-7, 4.34 ERA) vs. Reds RH Alfredo Simon (12-5, 2.86)

Miley has pitched far better on the road than at home, posting a 3.28 ERA with a 4-2 record in away contests. He lost at Philadelphia on Friday, giving up five runs in five innings, but is 3-1 in his past five starts with a 2.94 ERA. Miley is 1-2 lifetime against Cincinnati, beating the Reds at Great American Ball Park in his only start in Cincinnati in 2012.

Simon has struggled since the All-Star break, allowing seven runs (five earned) on 14 hits in 9 1/3 innings. He lasted only 4 1/3 innings against Washington on Friday, giving up three runs on nine hits. Simon, who is tied for second in the National League in wins, is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in five career games against the Diamondbacks while allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings in a victory June 1 at Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati CF Billy Hamilton snapped a 0-for-15 slump with a first-inning double Tuesday, and 3B Todd Frazier collected two hits after a 6-for-39 skid.

2. Arizona SS Didi Gregorius is hitting .296 in his past 16 games, recording at least one hit in 12 of those contests.

3. Cincinnati LHP Aroldis Chapman has struck out at least one hitter in his past 45 appearances, the longest streak by a reliever in major-league history.

PREDICTION: Reds 5, Diamondbacks 3