Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2015 ) Milwaukee 8, Cincinnati 6

Matt Garza will look to avoid becoming the first pitcher in the majors to reach the 15-loss plateau on Saturday as the Milwaukee Brewers begin a 10-game road trip with a doubleheader versus the Cincinnati Reds. Garza, who is tied with Philadelphia veteran Aaron Harang with a league-high 14 defeats, was blasted for seven runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings before escaping with a no-decision in Cincinnati's 12-9 victory on last Saturday.

The 31-year-old Garza would be wise to keep a keen eye on Jay Bruce, who belted a two-run homer on Saturday and is 11-for-30 (.367) with three homers and nine RBIs in his career versus the hurler. The Reds have won three of five after losing 13 of their previous 14, while the Brewers completed a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh on Thursday for their fourth win in a row before getting rained out in the series opener. Jonathan Lucroy is 19-for-43 (.442) with 11 runs scored during his career-high 11-game hitting streak while Jean Segura is 10-for-22 (.455) with four RBIs and six runs scored in his last five games. Cincinnati's John Lamb will pitch the opener and teammate Keyvius Sampson will work in the nightcap against Wily Peralta.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (5-8, 4.30 ERA) vs. Reds RH Keyvius Sampson (2-2, 6.43)

Peralta posted his third win in four starts overall and improved to 4-4 in his career versus Cincinnati with a strong outing on Sunday. The 26-year-old Dominican allowed one run on seven hits in as many innings in a 4-1 triumph and did not walk a batter for the first time since May 6. Peralta has pitched well in Cincinnati, recording a 2.43 ERA in five career starts.

Sampson endured his third straight tough outing after being ripped for six runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus Milwaukee on Saturday. The 24-year-old has been brutal at home, going 0-2 with a bloated 8.10 ERA while allowing the opposition to bat a gaudy .344 against him. Sampson kept the ball in the park versus the Brewers after being taken deep twice in his previous outing against Detroit on Aug. 24.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is 11-for-20 with three homers, eight RBIs and six runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.

2. Milwaukee 3B Hernan Perez is 5-for-10 with two RBIs in his last three contests.

3. Reds SS Eugenio Suarez went 4-for-12 with two homers and four RBIs to help his team take two of three from the Chicago Cubs.

PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Reds 2