Cincinnati @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2018 ) Cincinnati 2, Chi. Cubs 3

The Chicago Cubs have been able to take advantage of their opportunities down the stretch against the last-place Cincinnati Reds, a trend they'll try to maintain Saturday in the second of three games between the National League Central division foes. Ian Happ's three-run homer in the seventh inning lifted the Cubs to a 3-2 win in the series opener, which gave them seven straight victories over the Reds - five in the past three-plus weeks.

Jorge De La Rosa got his first career save in his 426 appearances as Chicago remained 1 1/2 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the race for the division crown. Cubs left-hander Jon Lester left his last start due to back tightness after 5 2/3 innings but is expected to be fine for this one. Kris Bryant is 4-for-5 with a home run, a double and three walks against Cody Reed, who gets the nod for the Reds. Jose Peraza and Joey Votto hit back-to-back homers in the fourth inning to provide Cincinnati - a loser of 10 of its last 12 on the road - with all of its offense Friday.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds LH Cody Reed (0-2, 5.08 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (15-6, 3.57)

Reed will be making his fifth start of the year and his fourth in a row after giving up three runs in four innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. He is 0-1 with a 7.02 ERA in that role and 0-1 with a 2.31 mark as a reliever. The 25-year-old had a pair of scoreless appearances out of the bullpen against the Cubs last month.

Lester gave up three runs and struck out seven before exiting the outing against the Milwaukee Brewers his last time out. He spun six scoreless innings in his prior start to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies and record his seventh career 15-win season. Eugenio Suarez is 10-for-31 with three homers and three doubles against the 34-year-old Lester, who is 6-1 in his career against Cincinnati.

WALK-OFFS

1. Votto has three home runs and 10 RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Cubs RHP Pedro Strop (hamstring) is out for the remainder of the regular season after being injured in Thursday's win over Washington.

3. Chicago OF/2B Ben Zobrist had three hits Friday to bump his average to .315, five points behind Reds 2B Scooter Gennett for the NL batting title.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Reds 3