Cincinnati @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2014 ) Cincinnati 3, Miami 1

The slumping Cincinnati Reds look to build off a comeback win when they visit the Miami Marlins for the second of a four-game series Friday night. The Reds rallied for three runs in the eighth inning, helped by a controversial overturned call when Miami catcher Jeff Mathis was ruled to block the plate illegally after an umpire review. The Reds have only scored 27 runs while going 3-10 since the All-Star break with their top two hitters, Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto, on the disabled list.

Brayan Pena boasts a seven-game hitting streak, but Todd Frazier is only 9-for-50 since appearing in the All-Star game for the Reds. The Marlins’ loss was only their third in 12 games and slugger Giancarlo Stanton is warming up again with homers in his last two contests. Right-hander Jarred Cosart, who was acquired in a trade along with outfielder Kike Hernandez from Houston on Thursday, is expected to make his Marlins’ debut.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (2-3, 3.31 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jarred Cosart (9-7, 4.41)
Latos is 1-3 over his last five starts while yielding 15 runs (13 earned) in 33 innings, and walked a season-high four in the loss to Washington last Sunday. The Virginia native is 0-3 with a 5.26 ERA in seven career outings against the Marlins, none of them coming this year. Stanton is 4-for-8 with three RBIs against Latos, who is 1-2 with a 2.00 ERA on the road in 2014.


Cosart has struggled in his last four starts after going 12 consecutive outings in which he allowed three runs or fewer. The 24-year-old Texan takes Jacob Turner’s spot in the rotation and is 1-2 with an 8.02 ERA in July after giving up five runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to Miami on Saturday last time out. Cosart has had problems with control at times, walking 86 in 176 1/3 career innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami 1B Garrett Jones is 11-for-33 with four RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak.

2. Cincinnati RF Jay Bruce, who is 3-for-36 over his last 10 games, is expected to return from the bereavement list Friday.

3. The Marlins have outscored opponents 51-24 in the ninth inning and own a major league-high 25 one-run victories.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Reds 4