Cincinnati @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 13, 2013 ) Cincinnati 5, Chi. Cubs 6

The Cincinnati Reds have found Wrigley Field to be a good place to win this season and look to earn another victory when they open a three-game series against the host Chicago Cubs on Monday. The Reds are 6-1 in Chicago this season and have won 12 of their last 13 contests at the venerable ballpark. Cincinnati is five games off the pace in the National League Central and 5 1/2 games ahead of Arizona for the second wild-card spot.

Chicago lost to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday for its 10th defeat in 14 games. The Cubs are opening a 10-game homestand that includes three games against the Cardinals and four against the Washington Nationals. Cincinnati defeated San Diego 3-2 in 13 innings on Sunday despite having just five hits and sidestepping defeat due to the Padres going 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), CSN-Plus (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (11-3, 3.21 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Travis Wood (7-8, 3.04)

Latos blanked Oakland on four hits over 7 1/3 innings in his last outing for his third consecutive victory. He has a 1.73 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break, giving up five earned runs in 26 innings. Latos is 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA in three starts against Chicago this season and is 4-2 with a 3.28 ERA in eight career starts against the Cubs.

Wood is 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts this season against the Reds, the team that drafted him and eventually traded him to Chicago. Overall, he is 0-3 with a 4.65 ERA in five career outings against Cincinnati. Wood took a no-decision against Philadelphia in his last outing when he gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati OF Ryan Ludwick will be activated Monday and could be in the lineup for the first time since injuring his right shoulder on Opening Day.

2. Cubs SS Starlin Castro went 3-for-4 in Sunday’s loss, marking the sixth time this season in which he has had three or more hits.

3. Reds 3B Todd Frazier is 6-for-12 with two homers and six RBIs against Wood.

PREDICTION: Reds 4, Cubs 1