Arizona @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2013 ) Arizona 3, Cincinnati 5

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a chance to cut a big chunk off their deficit in the National League wild-card race but are not off to a good start. The Diamondbacks attempt to bounce back after losing the opener when they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. The Reds pushed their lead over Arizona in the wild-card chase to six games with a 5-3 win in the opener.

Cincinnati is also trying to track down the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central and is aiming for an eighth win in 10 games behind Tony Cingrani. The Diamondbacks have three more games in the series to cut the wild-card deficit in half and are looking at 16 straight games against sub-.500 opponents once they get done with the Reds. Arizona is 7 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (12-3, 2.48 ERA) vs. Reds LH Tony Cingrani (6-2, 2.78)

Corbin is trying to snap a four-start winless streak and was knocked around for four runs on nine hits in seven innings against Baltimore last week. The All-Star had a string of six straight quality starts come to an end with that turn. Corbin allowed a run on three hits in eight innings but did not factor in the decision against Cincinnati on June 22.

Cingrani is a permanent fixture in the Reds rotation with Johnny Cueto still on the disabled list due to a lat injury. The rookie has been a fine replacement and is aiming for his 12th straight start surrendering three or fewer earned runs. Cingrani is making his first start against Arizona and is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA in nine games (six starts) at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 2B Brandon Phillips is 8-for-16 in the last four games.

2. Arizona 3B Martin Prado has multiple hits in four of his last five games.

3. Cincinnati RHP J.J. Hoover (23) needs one more scoreless appearance to move into a tie for second on the franchise list.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Reds 3