Cincinnati @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2012 ) Cincinnati 9, Houston 3
The National League Central-leading Cincinnati Reds continue their road trip Saturday when they face the cellar-dwelling Houston Astros. Cincinnati improved to 4-0 during its six-game trek on Friday as it posted a 9-3 victory in the opener of the three-game series. Jay Bruce and Zack Cozart combined for two home runs and five RBIs as the Reds increased their division lead over St. Louis to 9 1/2 games.
The good news for the Astros is that there's just over a month remaining in their dismal season. Houston owns the worst record in the major leagues at 40-92 and has dropped 16 of its last 17 contests. The Astros, who enter Saturday with a six-game losing streak, are 1-9 since Tony DeFrancesco took over managerial duties from the fired Brad Mills on an interim basis.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSH (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (10-9, 4.24 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (10-9, 3.92)
Bailey is coming off a loss to St. Louis on Sunday in which he allowed five runs and nine hits over six innings. The 26-year-old has surrendered at least four runs in five of his last six starts, going 1-3 in that span. Bailey, who is 7-2 with a 2.91 ERA on the road this year, is a perfect 4-0 in six career outings against the Astros with a 1.33 ERA.
Harrell allowed one run and two hits in seven innings at New York on Sunday but walked away with a no-decision. The 27-year-old has yielded two runs or less in eight of his last nine starts but has only three victories during that stretch. Harrell has been superb at home, going 6-2 with a 2.14 ERA in 10 outings. He lost his only career decision against Cincinnati on April 28.
WALK-OFFS
1. Harrell allowed one run over seven innings against the Reds on July 24 but received a no-decision. Bailey tossed seven scoreless frames at Houston the following day but also walked away without a win.
2. The Astros won five of their 27 games in August.
3. Cincinnati's Cozart became the fourth shortstop in franchise history to record at least 15 home runs and 30 doubles in a season, joining Eddie Miller, Barry Larkin (twice) and Felipe Lopez.