St. Louis @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 19, 2012 ) Cincinnati 6, St. Louis 3
Heated rivals fighting for second place in the NL Central meet Friday when St. Louis opens a weekend series in Cincinnati. The Reds (47-38) and Cardinals (46-40), who are chasing the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates (48-37), have a history of bad blood that resurfaced heading into the All-Star Game.
Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker suggested former St. Louis skipper Tony La Russa did not pick two Reds for the NL roster because they were involved in a brawl with the Cardinals two years ago. While Reds All-Star Joey Votto said “we have to learn to turn the page,” this feud that could boil over at any moment. The Cardinals have won four of five, while the Reds have won three straight. Cincinnati is opening a 10-game homestand.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS-M, FS-O
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (7-8, 4.56 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mat Latos (7-2, 4.13 ERA)
Wainwright has delivered four quality starts in his last five outings, including his most recent start against Colorado in which he allowed one run over six innings. But batters are hitting .275 against him this year, and he's served up 10 homers. In 14 career appearances against the Reds, Wainwright is 3-5 with a 4.25 ERA.
Latos has been miserable in four career starts against St. Louis, going 1-3 with an 11.37 ERA. But he’s been dominant in his last three starts, holding the Padres, Giants and Brewers to two earned runs in a combined 25 innings. Batters are hitting .241 against him this season.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Cardinals lead the season series, 4-2.
2. Votto is batting .348 (5th, NL) with 14 homers and 48 RBIs.
3. Cards LF Matt Holliday has an 11-game hitting streak. He has two homers and nine RBIs in the streak.