Cincinnati @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( May 27, 2012 ) Colorado 5, Cincinnati 7

The Cincinnati Reds attempt to win their eighth consecutive game when they open a three-game road series against the Colorado Rockies on Friday. Cincinnati is 11-2 since the All-Star break and its season-long winning streak reached seven games Wednesday when it scored three ninth-inning runs to finish off a sweep of the Houston Astros. The Rockies have the second-worst record in baseball and are 23 games below .500. Only the Astros have a worse mark.

Colorado has lost eight of 11 games despite salvaging the finale of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. The Rockies are leaning toward activating first baseman Todd Helton (hip) prior to Friday’s game. Helton, who is batting just .235, hasn’t played since July 8. Cincinnati outfielder Drew Stubbs enters the series on a tear after going 7-for-15 against the Astros and recording go-ahead hits in the ninth inning of each of the final two games. Stubbs hit a two-run homer on Tuesday and a two-run double the following night.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (5-6, 3.98 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Drew Pomeranz (1-5, 4.98)

Arroyo beat the Milwaukee Brewers in his last start when he gave up two runs and five hits in six innings. He has allowed just one homer in his last five outings, an impressive figure for a pitcher who allowed a major-league high 46 last season. Arroyo has allowed 16 in 19 outings this year. He is 2-3 with a 5.60 ERA in 11 career appearances (nine starts) against Colorado.

Pomeranz is back on the mound after having his Tuesday turn skipped due to left biceps pain. He has allowed 12 runs in just eight innings while losing back-to-back starts since the All-Star break. Pomeranz was torched for seven runs and nine hits in three innings by the San Diego Padres in his last outing. He pitched five innings of two-hit shutout ball against the Reds last Sept. 11 in his major-league debut.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado star Carlos Gonzalez was rested for Wednesday’s finale against Arizona after striking out five times in the first two games of the series.

2. Reds OF Jay Bruce is batting just .213 in 61 career at-bats against the Rockies but has clubbed five homers.

3. Rockies OF Tyler Colvin is just 1-for-14 against Arroyo and enters the series in a 4-for-32 funk with 13 strikeouts over his last nine games.