Cincinnati @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2013 ) Colorado 12, Cincinnati 4

While the two National League Central teams ahead of them in the standings battle one another this weekend, the Cincinnati Reds hope to make up ground while visiting the Colorado Rockies for three games. Cincinnati is 3 1/2 games behind St. Louis in the division race entering Friday’s series opener, while the Cardinals square off with the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates. After the series with Colorado, the Reds host St. Louis in a crucial four-game series.

Tyler Chatwood was medically cleared to start on Sunday so the Rockies are expected to scratch scheduled starter Jeff Manship and move veteran Jorge De La Rosa’s turn up a day to pitch the opener. Colorado has won four of its last six games and allowed just 13 runs during the stretch. Cincinnati has lost four of its past six games but still holds a six-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the NL’s second wild-card spot.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (13-9, 3.42 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (14-6, 3.28)

Arroyo has won four consecutive starts and hasn’t issued a single walk while compiling a 2.33 ERA in 27 innings during the stretch. He defeated the Rockies on June 3 when he scattered four hits over eight shutout innings. Arroyo is 4-3 with a 4.39 ERA in 13 career appearances (11 starts) against Colorado.

De La Rosa also is a hot pitcher and has a 3.09 ERA while winning his last four starts. He has been superb at home with an 8-1 mark and 2.58 ERA in 12 outings. De La Rosa hasn’t faced the Reds since 2010 and is just 1-3 with a 9.87 ERA in nine career appearances (three starts) against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies OF Dexter Fowler (knee) is expected to miss his third consecutive game.

2. Reds OF Ryan Ludwick has two homers in 18 career at-bats against De La Rosa, but has also struck out seven times.

3. Colorado won two of three games from Cincinnati in June, scoring 17 runs in its two victories.

PREDICTION: Reds 7, Rockies 4