Cincinnati @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2013 ) Cincinnati 6, Houston 1
The Cincinnati Reds rebounded from a shocking loss with a convincing victory and look to extend their lead in the National League wild-card race Tuesday, when they continue their three-game interleague set against the host Houston Astros. The Reds were unable to hold a four-run lead in Sunday’s setback against Milwaukee but had no such problems against Houston in the opener. Zack Cozart drove in four runs to help Cincinnati race out to a six-run advantage through five frames en route to a 6-1 win.
The win gave the Reds a five-game lead over Washington for the second wild-card spot and moved them within 2 1/2 of NL Central co-leaders St. Louis and Pittsburgh. Houston (51-99) has scored a total of four runs during its three-game slide and is on the verge of becoming the first team since the 2004-06 Kansas City Royals to lose 100 games in three consecutive seasons. One bright spot for the league-worst Astros has been Jose Altuve, who has 10 multi-hit performances and is batting a league-high .439 in September.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), CSN (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (13-6, 3.35 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jordan Lyles (7-7, 4.92)
Leake set a career high in victories with Wednesday’s 6-0 win over the Chicago Cubs despite giving up four hits and issuing four walks over 5 2/3 innings during an inefficient 107-pitch outing. The eighth overall selection of the 2009 draft has been strong in 15 road outings, going 7-2 with a 3.05 ERA. Leake is 5-4 with a 3.76 ERA in nine starts and two relief appearances against the Astros in his career.
Since allowing eight earned runs against Boston on Aug. 6, Lyles has yielded three or fewer in five of his next six starts. The 22-year-old recorded his third consecutive quality start in Tuesday’s 13-2 victory over Seattle as he permitted two runs - one earned - and four hits over six frames. Lyles has limited the Reds to a .208 average in four career appearances (three starts), going 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto has a 22-game hitting streak in Houston.
2. The Astros, who have played the Reds more often than any other opponent, are one win away from 400 in the all-time series (399-440-1).
3. Reds LHP Sean Marshall – out since May 24 with shoulder tendinitis – was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list on Monday.
PREDICTION: Reds 5, Astros 2