St. Louis @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 15, 2012 ) St. Louis 2, Cincinnati 4

The Cincinnati Reds appeared on the verge of unraveling following a five-game losing streak earlier this month, but they have regrouped to win 10 of their next 14 games to open a comfortable seven-game lead atop the National League Central. The Reds can put a hammerlock on the division when they host their nearest pursuer, the St. Louis Cardinals, for a three-game series beginning Friday night. Despite the absence of Joey Votto, Cincinnati is 29-12 since the All-Star break.

After completing a bye week of sorts by sweeping the bedraggled Houston Astros, the Cardinals enter a brick-wall portion of their schedule with a 10-game road trip that includes stops at division rival Pittsburgh and NL East leader Washington. St. Louis holds a one-game lead for the second wild card spot after outscoring the Astros 24-5 in the three games. Allen Craig had three hits in the series finale to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Cincinnati is a major league-best 41-22.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSMW, FSOH

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (13-5, 3.73 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mat Latos (10-3, 3.56)

Lynn had a Cy Young-caliber season going midway through June, winning 10 of his first 12 decisions, but he has leveled off since. He is winless in his last four starts and pitched only 4 1/3 innings in his last outing, giving up three runs and earning a no-decision against Pittsburgh. Pitching away from Busch Stadium has not fazed Lynn, who is 7-2 in 14 road starts this season.

Latos has not factored in the decision in his last three starts despite giving up a total of three earned runs over 22 innings in that span. He allowed four runs - two earned - in eight innings against the Chicago Cubs in his last outing. Latos was pounded by St. Louis for a season-worst eight runs in 5 2/3 innings on April 18, but he rebounded from that beating to log 10-1 record since.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati's bullpen blew two saves in the four-game series against Philadelphia, but Reds closer Aroldis Chapman has converted 23 straight chances, tying the franchise record shared by John Franco (1988) and Rob Dibble (1991).

2. St. Louis is the only team in baseball with three 13-game winners: Kyle Lohse (13-2), Lynn (13-5) and Jake Westbrook (13-9).

3. Reds rookie 3B Todd Frazier is batting .393 (11-for-28) with three homers and nine RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak.