St. Louis @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2018 ) St. Louis 4, Cincinnati 2

Dexter Fowler has endured a dismal campaign but will look to follow up one of his top moments of the season when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their three-game series. Fowler, who is batting just .179, hit the decisive two-run homer in the 11th inning on Tuesday as the Cardinals prevailed 4-2.

Jose Martinez and Yairo Munoz also delivered run-scoring hits as St. Louis won for just the fourth time in 11 games. The hot-hitting Matt Carpenter was hitless in five at-bats to end an eight-game streak during which he went 14-for-28 with eight homers, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored. Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run blast - his second of the series - but Cincinnati registered only five hits and didn't get its first until there was one out in the seventh inning. The Reds have scored just 13 runs while losing five of their last six contests.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (4-4, 3.15 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (5-8, 5.19)

Flaherty defeated the Chicago Cubs last time out, when he struck out nine while allowing one run and two hits in five innings. The 22-year-old is limiting opposing batters to a .207 average and owns a 1.11 WHIP with 96 strikeouts in 80 frames. Flaherty gave up two hits over five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Reds on July 14 and is 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA in three career meetings.

Romano is back in the starting rotation after throwing 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Cardinals on the final day prior to the All-Star break. The 24-year-old did not factor in the decision against St. Louis on April 12, when he gave up four runs and six hits in 4 1/3 frames. Romano is 4-4 with a 4.98 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 11 home starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett (illness) was back in the starting lineup but went 0-for-5 as his average dropped to .313.

2. St. Louis optioned RHP Daniel Poncedeleon to Triple-A Memphis a day after he pitched seven perfect innings in his major-league debut and recalled LHP Austin Gomber, who worked 6 1/3 frames before giving up a hit as Tuesday's starter.

3. Cincinnati placed Jackson Stephens (knee) on the 10-day disabled list and activated fellow RHP Homer Bailey, who pitched 6 2/3 innings on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Reds 2