Arizona @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2013 ) Arizona 7, Cincinnati 10
The Arizona Diamondbacks are on the verge of falling out of contention in the National League West, but can remain in the playoff hunt if they can salvage a four-game road split with the Cincinnati Reds Thursday. Arizona nearly overcame an eight-run deficit in Wednesday’s 10-7 loss, yet fell 8 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. However, the Diamondbacks can close their six-game gap on Cincinnati for the last of two wild-card spots with a win in the finale.
The Reds’ victory not only allowed them to increase their wild-card lead over their next closest competitor, but also moved them to within 2 ½ games of Pittsburgh for the top spot in the NL Central. While Shin-Soo Choo posted four hits and three RBIs in the victory, Cincinnati likely took a blow to its bullpen. Jonathan Broxton, who came off the disabled list on Aug. 7 after missing nearly two months due to a right elbow strain, left Wednesday’s outing with discomfort in the same elbow.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (4-10, 4.78 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mat Latos (12-4, 3.02)
Making his first start since June 30 due to a bruised right hip, Cahill ended his personal six-game losing streak despite allowing four runs and seven hits over five innings during Saturday’s 15-5 road win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. "It felt like my debut all over again…It was a weird feeling, like I hadn't done it before." Cahill said following the game. Cahill is 3-6 with a 5.60 ERA in nine road starts and will face the Reds for the first time in his career.
Latos saw his four-game winning streak snapped in Saturday’s 2-0 road setback against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 25-year-old yielded two runs and six hits over seven frames – the sixth straight outing in which he has tossed at least six innings and permitted two or fewer earned runs. Latos tossed a 13-strikeout gem – tying a career high – on June 23 in his only turn versus Arizona in 2013 and is 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA against the Diamondbacks in seven all-time outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Choo is two leadoff homers shy of matching Kal Daniels’ single season club record of eight, set back in 1987.
2. The Diamondbacks lead the majors with 27 one-run victories.
3. Cincinnati’s 10-run outburst Wednesday marked the 11th time it has scored at least 10 runs.
PREDICTION: Reds 6, Diamondbacks 2