Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2012 ) Milwaukee 8, Cincinnati 4
The Cincinnati Reds are fresh off their biggest comeback victory in more than five years — and thanks to Thursday's rally against Arizona, the Reds have everyone else in the National League Central playing catch-up at the moment. Cincinnati holds a half-game lead over Pittsburgh heading into a weekend series at home against the division rival Milwaukee Brewers, who are stuck in limbo with a 7 1/2-game hole to climb out of and the non-waiver trade deadline quickly approaching.
The Reds figure to struggle to score runs with slugging first baseman Joey Votto on the disabled list, but second baseman Brandon Phillips picked up the slack Thursday, driving in five runs as Cincinnati rallied from a 6-0 deficit for a 7-6 win. The Reds are 2-2 without Votto after winning six straight before his injury. Milwaukee has won three straight series against division opponents and won the last two games against St. Louis before an off day Thursday.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin, Fox Sports Ohio
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Marco Estrada (0-3, 4.13 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (8-6, 3.93)
Estrada is in search of his first win since Aug. 23, 2011 as he takes his third crack at the Reds this season. He allowed five runs over eight innings in a 6-1 loss May 7 in Milwaukee and gave up three runs in six innings - with a season-high 12 strikeouts - in a 4-3 loss June 26 in Cincinnati. Estrada struck out 11 in his last outing but didn't get a decision in the 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh, allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Bailey had a rough patch at the end of June, but he has posted three straight quality starts in July and won all three outings. He threw eight strong innings Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing two runs (one earned) on nine hits to get within one win of his career-high of nine set last season. Bailey has not pitched well against the Brewers, though. He is 0-5 with a 6.50 ERA in 10 starts against them, including a pair of ugly outings in losses this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers OF Ryan Braun is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday with a right groin strain. Braun is 7-for-22 (.318) with four doubles and a homer against Bailey.
2. Reds OF Jay Bruce (4-for-11, 3 HR, 7 RBIs) and Phillips (6-for-12, 1 HR, 3 RBIs) have hit Estrada hard, but the remainder of Cincinnati's active roster is just 10-for-55 (.182) against the right-hander.
3. Brewers OF/1B Corey Hart is riding a 12-game hitting streak. Hart is 6-for-23 (.261) with just one extra-base hit against Bailey.