Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2013 ) Cincinnati 9, Milwaukee 1
The Cincinnati Reds increased their margin in the wild-card race in their last series and look to make headway in the National League Central when they host a three-game set versus the Milwaukee Brewers beginning Friday. Cincinnati has won 12 of 16 after taking three of four from Arizona to extend its lead for the NL’s second wild-card spot to seven games over the Diamondbacks. The Reds, who trail Pittsburgh by 2 1/2 games in the division, have won five of six at home against Milwaukee.
Despite going 17-16 since the All-Star break, Milwaukee finds itself 19½ games off the pace in the NL Central – one game ahead of the last-place Chicago Cubs. Although the Brewers lost Carlos Gomez to a right knee sprain during a four-game home split with Cincinnati last weekend, the All-Star outfielder expects to return Friday. Gomez, who has missed the team’s last six games, suffered his injury making a leaping catch and crashing into a wall during the series opener Aug. 15.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (9-9, 4.68 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (8-10, 3.68)
Gallardo, making his first start since July 30 because of a hamstring strain, was sharp in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Reds, yielding three hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings to improve to 2-1 with a 1.65 ERA against them in 2013. The Brewers’ ace has held Cincinnati hitters to a .196 average in those three outings and will post his fifth consecutive 10-win season with a victory Friday. In 18 all-time starts against the Reds, Gallardo is 7-6 with a 4.25 ERA.
Bailey, who became the third pitcher in team history to post multiple no-hitters in his career earlier this season, continued his roller coaster campaign with a win in Sunday’s 9-1 victory over the Brewers. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2004 draft allowed a run on three hits over eight frames and is 3-0 over his last four turns after dropping each of his four previous outings. Prior to last weekend’s dominant effort, Bailey was 1-7 with a 6.03 ERA in 13 career starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati is 24-8 at home against Milwaukee since the start of 2010.
2. Milwaukee rookie LF Khris Davis is batting 12-for-27 with three home runs, five RBIs and seven runs scored during an eight-game hitting streak.
3. The Brewers (46-0) are the only team in the majors without a loss when leading after eight innings and have won 48 straight overall since a 2-1 loss at Cincinnati on Sept. 27, 2012.
PREDICTION: Reds 3, Brewers 2