Arizona @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( May 30, 2018 ) Cincinnati 7, Arizona 4

David Peralta has turned it on since the calendar shifted to August, going a sizzling 18-for-33 with seven extra-base hits (three doubles, triple, three homers). Peralta aims to continue his sterling performance at the plate on Friday as the Arizona Diamondbacks (64-52) begin a nine-game road trip with the first of three contests against the Cincinnati Reds (50-65).

Peralta recorded his third four-hit performance of the month in Wednesday's 6-0 romp over Philadelphia while scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs to boot. The 30-year-old Venezuelan aims to keep it going versus Friday starter Anthony DeSclafani, against whom he is 3-for-6 with a double in his career. While Arizona won two of three versus Cincinnati in late May and eight of its last 12 overall, the Reds completed a dismal 2-7 road trip with a thud after an 8-0 setback at the New York Mets on Wednesday afternoon. Joey Votto is expected to return to the lineup after missing two straight games with a right knee injury sustained after he was hit by a pitch from Washington right-hander Ryan Madson.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Clay Buchholz (5-1, 2.68 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (5-3, 4.98)

Buchholz won his fourth straight start on Saturday after allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings of a 9-3 victory versus San Francisco. The 33-year-old was taken deep twice in that contest and has surrendered seven homers in 10 outings this season. Buchholz didn't fare well in his lone career start versus Cincinnati as he permitted four runs on eight hits over five innings of a no-decision.

DeSclafani posted his first win in nearly a month on Saturday after yielding one run on six hits over a season high-tying seven innings of a 7-1 romp at Washington. "I'm just glad the team got the win. It felt good to finally get through the seventh inning," said the 28-year-old, who also helped his cause with a hit and run scored. Paul Goldschmidt is a robust 6-for-8 with a three extra-base hits (two doubles, homer) and three RBIs versus DeSclafani, who in turn has flustered Jake Lamb (0-for-9, three strikeouts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati 3B Eugenio Suarez carries a nine-game hitting streak into Friday's tilt with Arizona, against which he went 8-for-12 with a homer and three RBIs in the May series.

2. Diamondbacks RF Steven Souza Jr. is expected to return to the lineup after crashing into the wall Tuesday night.

3. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett, who went 4-for-10 against Arizona in May, is 6-for-15 during his four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Reds 2