Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 22, 2018 ) Cincinnati 0, Milwaukee 4

The Milwaukee Brewers didn't receive any help from the Cincinnati Reds in the latter's last series, as they were outscored 29-9 by the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs en route to a four-game sweep at Wrigley Field. The Brewers (73-59) hope to improve their standing Tuesday as they begin a six-game road trip with the first of three contests against the cellar-dwelling Reds (56-75).

Mike Moustakas homered for the second time in three outings in Sunday's 7-4 win over Pittsburgh, helping Milwaukee to its fifth victory in seven contests as it resides five games behind Chicago but 1 1/2 games ahead of Colorado for the second wild-card spot. While his recent fortune has been positive, the 29-year-old is a disastrous 0-for-20 versus Cincinnati this season heading into an encounter against Tuesday starter Anthony DeSclafani. The Reds have bookended shutouts during their five-game losing skid, starting with a 4-0 setback to the Brewers in the series finale on Wednesday. Tucker Barnhart, who had two of his team's three hits in Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Cubs, is 11-for-39 against Milwaukee this season.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Junior Guerra (6-8, 3.72 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (6-4, 4.26)

Guerra will have an opportunity to exact revenge against Cincinnati following a dismal performance in his last trip to the mound, as he surrendered seven runs on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision on Aug. 21. The 33-year-old Venezuelan has been blitzed for 14 runs on 19 hits in his last two outings as he continues to search for his first win since July 8. Eugenio Suarez (4-for-9, three doubles, homer) and Billy Hamilton (5-for-13) have gotten under the skin of Guerra, who is 1-0 in three appearances against the Reds this season and 2-1 in seven career matchups.

DeSclafani suffered his first loss in over a month on Thursday after allowing five runs on eight hits - including two homers - in six innings of a 7-1 setback to the Cubs. The 28-year-old pitched significantly better in his previous three August starts, as he surrendered just two runs on 15 hits across 21 2/3 frames. DeSclafani wasn't as fortunate in his last encounter with Milwaukee, against which he permitted for runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings of a no-decision on June 28.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee 2B Jonathan Schoop is 5-for-12 with two solo homers and four runs scored in his last five contests.

2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto (lower right leg) is expected to return from the 10-day disabled list in the series opener.

3. Brewers Manny Pina is 8-for-24 with four RBIs and four runs scored versus the Reds this season.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Reds 3