Cincinnati @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2013 ) Cincinnati 10, Houston 0

The Cincinnati Reds have visions of overtaking the Pittsburgh Pirates for the top wild card as they look to complete a three-game series sweep of the host Houston Astros on Wednesday. The Reds have outscored the Astros 16-1 in the first two contests to move within 1 1/2 games of the Pirates and 2 1/2 of National League Central-leading St. Louis. The Reds also have to keep an eye on hard-charging Washington, which is 4 1/2 games behind them for the second wild card.

Jay Bruce is 6-for-12 with seven RBIs and six runs scored in his last three games for Cincinnati. He powered Tuesday's victory with a grand slam and five RBIs to give him 30 homers for the third straight year and his first 100-RBI season. "Thirty home runs is almost automatic if he stays healthy because that's his swing," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "But it was great to see him get his 100 RBIs, especially with the fact that he started off struggling in the RBI department."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Greg Reynolds (1-2, 5.66 ERA) vs. Astros RH Brad Peacock (5-5, 5.27)

Reynolds was pounded for four runs and six hits in only 1 2/3 innings of a relief appearance against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 10. He hopes to build upon his previous start, when he earned his first win of the season by giving up three runs in eight innings at Colorado on Aug. 31. He also pitched well six days earlier versus Milwaukee, taking the loss despite allowing two runs in six frames.

Peacock is coming off back-to-back wins - both on the road - in which he permitted only three runs and eight hits over 13 innings at Seattle and Oakland. He has pitched at least six frames in five of his seven starts since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Peacock has had his struggles at home, however, logging a 1-3 record and bloated 6.84 ERA in five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati's magic number to clinch the second wild card is seven.

2. The Astros have scored four runs during a four-game losing streak to reach 100 losses for the third straight year.

3. Reds 1B Joey Votto has hit in 23 straight games in Houston, the longest streak in the history of Minute Maid Park.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Reds 4