Arizona @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 1, 2014 ) Cincinnati 4, Arizona 3

An offensive tailspin has the Cincinnati Reds sliding down the National League Central standings as they prepare to open a three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night. The Reds have dropped eight of nine since the All-Star break to fall into fourth place in the division, six games behind pace-setter Milwaukee. Offense has been at the heart of the swoon for Cincinnati, which has scored a total of 16 runs during the nine-game funk.

Right-hander Homer Bailey will try to reverse the Reds' fortunes but he'll be facing the only NL opponent he has never beaten in the Diamondbacks, who are 5-4 since the break. Arizona has dropped three of its last four games, surrendering a total of 30 runs, to become the third team in the NL to reach 60 losses. The Diamondbacks have lost seven of the last nine meetings with Cincinnati, including the final three of a four-game set at home from May 29-June 1.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Chase Anderson (6-4, 3.58 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (8-5, 4.22)

Anderson, who won his first five major-league starts before dropping his next four, did not factor in the decision for the first time in 11 career starts last time out. He gave up two runs and five hits over six innings versus Detroit - the eighth outing in which he has yielded two earned runs or fewer. Anderson has not shown the ability to pitch deep into games, going past six innings in only one start.

Bailey has won only once since a four-start winning streak from May 23-June 8, going 1-2 in his last seven turns. He surrendered three runs - all via solo homers - on four hits over six innings in a no-decision at Milwaukee on Tuesday to run his winless drought to three starts. The 28-year-old Texan has pitched markedly better at home than on the road, posting a 5-2 record and 3.75 ERA in nine starts at Great American Ball Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds C Devin Mesoraco is batting .313 with two homers and eight RBIs in 10 games versus Arizona.

2. Diamondbacks 3B Martin Prado is 9-for-22 with a homer and six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

3. Cincinnati RF Jay Bruce is 3-for-32 in his last nine games.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Reds 2