Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2012 ) Milwaukee 1, Cincinnati 3
The Cincinnati Reds added to their National League Central lead and gave their recently beleaguered bullpen a night off in a series-opening win against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. They will look to build on that momentum with veteran Bronson Arroyo on the mound for Tuesday's outing. The Reds won for just the second time in seven games behind a complete game from Mat Latos, but their offense had another quiet night in the 3-1 victory. Cincinnati, which leads Pittsburgh by two games in the division, has scored three runs or fewer in four of its past six games.
Milwaukee's bats have been even quieter lately. After being shut out Sunday, the Brewers managed just one run on four hits Monday and have scored one run or less in three of the past four games. The Brewers optioned reliever Mike McClendon to Triple-A Nashville to make room for Marco Estrada to return from the disabled list and rejoin the rotation.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Marco Estrada (0-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (3-5, 4.19 ERA)
Estrada is scheduled to make his first start since he strained his right quadriceps in the first inning on May 23. The 28-year-old started the season in the bullpen but has made six starts, including one against the Reds on May 7 in which he allowed five runs in seven innings to take the loss. He is 1-2 with a 4.29 ERA in six games - two starts - against Cincinnati.
Arroyo had one of his worst outings of the season last Wednesday against Cleveland, allowing five runs in four innings. He has just one win in his last eight starts. Of particular concern is the fact he has allowed two home runs in each of his last three outings and 15 in 86 innings this season. Arroyo is 12-8 with a 3.70 ERA in 25 games against the Brewers, including a win May 7 at Milwaukee in which he allowed one runs and had a season-high nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati's three studs - Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce - are a combined 10-for-26 with four home runs and 10 RBIs against Estrada.
2. Milwaukee's Ryan Braun is 12-for-41 (.293) with four homers and eight RBIs against Arroyo. Braun had an 18-game hitting streak snapped when he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the series opener.
3. Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who has blown two straight save chances, warmed up in the ninth Monday but did not enter the game. Latos finished off his first complete game since 2010 with San Diego.