San Francisco @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( May 16, 2018 ) Cincinnati 6, San Francisco 3

The San Francisco Giants are trying to stay alive in the National League West and wild-card races as they resume their 10-game road trip with the first of three at the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. San Francisco started the trek by taking two of thee at the Los Angeles Dodgers and now faces a pair of also-ran opponents in the Reds and Mets.

The Giants were denied a sweep of the Dodgers after dropping a 4-3 decision in 12 innings, but showed plenty of moxie by coming from behind in the eighth inning or later in all three games. "It shows that we just don't quit, that we have to finish," said right fielder Andrew McCutchen, who swatted a three-run homer in the eighth inning of Wednesday's loss. "Regardless of what the score is, regardless of what inning it is, at any given moment we can come alive and score some runs." Cincinnati has been outscored 31-9 during a four-game slide -- all at home -- and its starting pitcher has failed to provide more than 1 2/3 innings in the last two setbacks. Anthony DeSclafani will look to reverse that trend despite taking a 1-1 record and a 12.38 ERA in two starts versus the Giants into Friday's matchup.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Dereck Rodríguez (6-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (6-3, 4.46)

Rodriguez pitched seven innings for the third straight outing, picking up the win by holding Pittsburgh to one run on two hits Sunday. The 26-year-old rookie has notched eight consecutive quality starts and has been spectacular since the All-Star break, permitting five runs and 16 hits spanning 33 1/3 innings over five outings. Rodriguez is 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA in six road appearances (five starts).

Following a rocky stretch during a three-start winless streak in which he failed to pitch beyond 4 1/3 innings, DeSclafani has turned in his best back-to-back outings of the season. He beat Washington with seven innings of one-run ball Aug. 4 and dominated Arizona last time out with seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball. Brandon Belt is 3-for-3 with a homer and double off DeSclafani.

WALK-OFFS

1. McCutchen has hit 19 homers in 76 games at Great American Ball Park.

2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is in a 1-for-13 rut and struck out in all five at-bats Wednesday.

3. Giants 1B/C Buster Posey was 1-for-13 against the Dodgers but is a career .303 hitter versus the Reds.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Reds 2