Cincinnati @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2018 ) Cincinnati 2, Milwaukee 5

The Milwaukee Brewers have halted a slump with consecutive victories and look to record another when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Brewers posted a 5-2 triumph in the series opener and have allowed three runs in back-to-back wins following a 5-10 stretch.

Travis Shaw belted a go-ahead, two-run homer and Christian Yelich launched a solo shot as Milwaukee improved to 8-3 against the Reds this season. All-Star Jesus Aguilar registered three of the Brewers' 12 hits and has gone 10-for-23 with one homer, six RBIs and six runs scored over his last seven outings. Milwaukee climbed within three games of the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and currently possesses the league's top wild-card spot. The Reds had their three-game winning streak halted with Monday's defeat, but All-Star Eugenio Suarez went deep for the second straight game to raise his team-leading totals to 28 homers and 92 RBIs.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Sal Romano (7-10, 5.31 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Junior Guerra (6-8, 3.73)

Romano has lost all five of his career starts against the Brewers, including both of this season's outings. The 24-year-old, who gave up two runs over five innings in each of the 2018 setbacks, owns a 5.70 ERA and 1.69 WHIP versus Milwaukee. Romano was torched by Cleveland in his last turn as he gave up six runs and seven hits over 1 2/3 frames of an 8-1 loss.

Guerra has gone 0-3 with a 6.54 ERA over his last six outings, allowing five or more runs in each of the setbacks during that stretch. The 33-year-old has served up seven homers during the span after yielding just 10 over his first 17 outings. Guerra is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA in two starts against the Reds this season and 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in six career appearances (five starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers CF Lorenzo Cain recorded two hits in the series opener and is 19-for-50 with five stolen bases and seven multi-hit efforts over his last 12 games.

2. Cincinnati All-Star 2B Scooter Gennett was hitless in four at-bats on Monday and is 4-for-30 against his former club this season.

3. Milwaukee C Manny Pina (shoulder) returned for the opener and went 2-for-3 with an RBI after sitting out three straight contests.

PREDICTION: Brewers 9, Reds 3