Chicago @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2013 ) Cincinnati 5, Chi. Cubs 0

The Cincinnati Reds are engaged in a fierce three-team battle for the National League Central crown as they begin a three-game series Monday against the visiting Chicago Cubs, who possess the second-worst record in the NL. Cincinnati has won four consecutive games after a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers and stands 1 1/2 games behind first-place St. Louis while moving into a virtual tie for second with Pittsburgh. Chicago has lost 18 of its last 26 games.

Outfielder Jay Bruce hit two homers and light-hitting catcher Ryan Hanigan stroked a walk-off double in the ninth as the Reds beat the Dodgers 3-2 on Sunday night. Cincinnati is a near-certainty to claim one of the NL’s two wild-card berths but the Reds – like the Cardinals and Pirates – would like to win the division crown and avoid the one-game playoff. Cubs outfielder Junior Lake homered for the lone run in Sunday’s loss to Milwaukee and has been a second-half bright spot by hitting .309 with six homers and 16 RBIs in his first 47 major-league games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN-Plus (Chicago), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Travis Wood (8-11, 3.17 ERA) vs. Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (13-10, 3.62)

Wood has allowed four runs in three of his last four outings, including in a loss to Miami on Sept. 2. He gave up two homers in seven innings against the Marlins and has allowed seven over his last six starts. Wood is 0-4 with a 4.15 ERA in six career starts against Cincinnati and is 0-3 with a 3.67 ERA this season in four outings against his former club.

Arroyo is 4-1 over his last six starts, giving up three or fewer runs in five of them. He received a no-decision against St. Louis in his last outing when he gave up three runs (two earned) and seven hits in seven innings. Arroyo is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against Chicago this season to raise his overall mark to 13-9 with a 2.92 ERA in 30 career appearances (28 starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 3B Todd Frazier is 6-for-14 with two homers against Wood and Bruce also has two homers in 14 at-bats against him.

2. Cubs 2B Darwin Barney is 2-for-17 against Arroyo.

3. Cincinnati SS Zack Cozart went 2-for-4 in Sunday’s game to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Cubs 2