Los Angeles @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 2, Cincinnati 3
The Cincinnati Reds aren't just content with holding the second wild card - they're inching closer to the top of the National League Central as well. The Reds vie for their sixth win in eight outings on Saturday, when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second contest of a three-game series. Cincinnati, which resides just two games behind first-place Pittsburgh in the division, enjoys an eight-game lead over Arizona and Washington for the wild card.
Joey Votto belted a two-run homer and scored twice in Cincinnati's 3-2 triumph on Friday. The setback was Los Angeles' second following a six-game winning streak. The NL West-leading Dodgers look for another strong outing from starter Zack Greinke on Saturday after using seven pitchers in the series opener.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (14-3, 2.78 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mat Latos (14-5, 2.98)
Greinke won his sixth consecutive start in impressive fashion, surrendering one run on two hits over seven innings in a 2-1 triumph over San Diego on Sunday. The former Cy Young Award winner has pieced together successful starts thanks in part to yielding just one home run during that stretch. Greinke lost for the first time in five career decisions versus Cincinnati on July 25 as he permitted four runs on six hits in seven frames of a 5-2 setback.
Latos tossed his first complete game of the season and fourth career on Monday, allowing two runs on four hits in a 7-2 victory over St. Louis. The 25-year-old has deserved a better fate against Los Angeles, limiting it to a .217 batting average but having a 3-6 record to show for his efforts. Latos won his last encounter with the Dodgers, permitting two runs over 7 2/3 innings in a 5-2 win on July 25.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles SS Hanley Ramirez belted a two-run homer on Friday and recorded his fourth multi-hit performance in seven contests. He is 2-for-4 versus Latos.
2. The Reds will honor Hall of Famer Joe Morgan by unveiling his statue in front of Great American Ball Park prior to the game. The statue will join those of Johnny Bench, Ted Kluszewski, Ernie Lombardi, Joe Nuxhall and Frank Robinson.
3. The Dodgers are 19-4 when Greinke takes the mound this season.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Reds 2