Cincinnati @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 22, 2012 ) Cincinnati 3, Philadelphia 2
A pair of Cy Young Award hopefuls will pitch the finale of a four-game series as Cincinnati Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto takes the mound on Thursday against left-hander Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies. After dropping the opener on Monday, the National League Central-leading Reds have won two straight to extend their division lead to a season-high eight games over St. Louis as they try to claim their fourth straight series victory.
Cueto will try to build on a great performance from Bronson Arroyo, who pitched three-hit ball into the ninth inning in Wednesday's 3-2 win. The Reds' last series win in Philadelphia came in 2005, when they won two of three. They haven't won the season series from the Phillies since 2003. To change that, they'll have to break through against Hamels, who is 7-0 with a 1.44 ERA in nine starts against Cincinnati.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio, CSN Philly
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Johnny Cueto (16-6, 2.44 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (14-6, 2.94)
Cueto was left off the All-Star Game roster, and he has responded with a dominant second half by winning seven of his last eight starts. Cueto has pitched eight innings in each of his last two starts - both against the Chicago Cubs - and allowed three hits in each. Cueto is 1-2 with a 5.65 ERA in five starts against the Phillies.
Hamels is one victory shy of matching his career high set in 2007. The left-hander has won three straight starts - including a pair by shutout. In his most recent outing, Hamels held Milwaukee to three runs over 7 2/3 innings and matched a season high with 10 strikeouts. Hamels' career high of 15 strikeouts came against the Reds in 2007.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati is 26-11 since star 1B Joey Votto (knee) last played July 15.
2. Hamels has not allowed more than three runs in any of his nine starts against the Reds. He has recorded quality starts in the past eight.
3. Reds rookies Zack Cozart (nine games) and Todd Frazier (seven games) are riding career-best hitting streaks.