Cincinnati @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2018 ) Milwaukee 2, Cincinnati 1

The Milwaukee Brewers' aspirations for the National League Central title haven't been done any favors by their play against division rivals. After losing for the 11th time in 16 meetings with Pittsburgh, the Brewers bid to rebound on Monday as they open a three-game home series versus the one NL Central foe they have enjoyed success against in the Cincinnati Reds.

Jesus Aguilar and Domingo Santana hit back-to-back home runs to begin the ninth inning in Sunday's 3-2 setback for Milwaukee, which has answered winning nine of 11 by dropping back-to-back contests to fall to 32-35 versus NL Central adversaries. Aguilar has recorded four hits in his last two games overall and is a robust 18-for-51 this season versus Cincinnati, against which the Brewers have won 11 of 16 encounters. The Reds' sputtering offense did just enough on Sunday to keep Milwaukee 2 1/2 games behind division-leading Chicago, increasing the team's total to five runs in its last four games with a 2-1 victory over the Cubs. Jose Peraza has gone 19-for-46 during his 11-game hitting streak, although he is just 1-for-9 against Monday starter Wade Miley.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (7-5, 4.80 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Wade Miley (4-2, 2.23)

DeSclafani retired the first nine batters he faced on Wednesday before the bottom fell out, as he allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings of an 8-1 setback against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 28-year-old has permitted four runs in both outings versus Milwaukee this year, escaping with a no-decision after 6 1/3 frames on June 28 before picking up the win on Aug. 28 in 6 2/3 innings. Ryan Braun (3-for-16) has been kept under wraps by DeSclafani, although Christian Yelich has gotten in his licks by going 3-for-9 with a homer.

Miley yielded fewer than three earned runs for the 12th time in 13 starts with Milwaukee after allowing two in five innings of a 3-2 triumph over the Cubs. The 31-year-old has pitched well in a pair of turns versus Cincinnati, permitting one run and three hits in six frames of a 3-1 win on May 2 before surrendering one run in 7 1/3 innings of a no-decision on Aug. 30. Speedster Billy Hamilton is 3-for-8 at the plate versus Miley, who owns a 4-2 record and 3.14 ERA in nine career meetings with Cincinnati.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yelich, who saw his NL-best 30-game on-base streak halted on Sunday, is 20-for-44 versus Cincinnati this season.

2. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett, who is hitting .318 this year, is batting just .224 against the Brewers in 2018.

3. Brewers 3B Mike Moustakas has gone 0-for-8 in his last two games after collecting six hits - including a homer - to go along with three RBIs and four runs scored in his previous three.

PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Reds 2