Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2012 ) Milwaukee 3, Cincinnati 4
Strong starting pitching has helped the Cincinnati Reds take the first two games of their series from National League Central rival Milwaukee, and the Reds hope Homer Bailey can buck his trend of struggling against the Brewers to follow suit in the series finale. Bailey lost to the Brewers on May 8, allowing six runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings, and he has two tough acts to follow. Mat Latos threw a complete game in the series opener, and Bronson Arroyo took a no-hitter into the eighth Tuesday.
The Brewers hope to get their share of brilliance from starter Zack Greinke as they try to salvage the series finale. Greinke is coming off a three-hit shutout of the Chicago White Sox, and he struck out 11 and allowed two hits in eight scoreless innings against the Cincinnati on May 9. The Reds are trying to finish off their third three-game sweep in eight series this month. They swept Cleveland at home and won three on the road against the New York Mets. They lead the division by three games over Pittsburgh. Milwaukee, which has lost four straight, is 8 1/2 games back.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), MLB Network (National)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zack Greinke (8-2, 2.81 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (5-5, 4.20 ERA)
Greinke has posted quality starts in four of his last five outings, including his first shutout of the season his last time out. He tossed a three-hitter Friday against the White Sox, striking out four and walking one. Greinke is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA in five starts against the Reds, including a complete-game victory in 2010.
Bailey seemed to turn a corner with four straight quality starts at the end of May, but he has been as inconsistent as ever in four starts this month. He was dominant for eight innings June 16 against the New York Mets but was tagged for five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings in a loss Friday against MInnesota. Bailey is 0-4 with a 6.30 ERA in nine starts against Milwaukee.
WALK-OFFS
1. At least one home run has been hit in 64 consecutive games at Great American Ball Park, dating to July 29, 2011. It is the longest active streak in the majors.
2. Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks, who has struggled to a .185 average this season and was held out of the lineup Tuesday, is 10-for-19 (.526) with a homer against Bailey.
3. Current Reds hitters are a collective 22-for-130 (.169) against Greinke, though Joey Votto (4-for-14, 3 HR) and Drew Stubbs (6-for-14, 2 doubles) have had success against him.