Cincinnati @ Miami preview
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Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2012 ) Cincinnati 4, Miami 6
The offseason acquisition of Mat Latos has paid dividends for the Cincinnati Reds, and they need a big game from him Sunday as they try to avoid a three-game road sweep against the Miami Marlins. Although Cincinnati leads the National League Central by 11 games over St. Louis and its magic number to clinch the division is down to six, but the Reds need to turn around their recent fortunes before the playoffs. Cincinnati has averaged 2.77 runs per game in September, going 6-7 over that stretch.
After losing his first two decisions with Cincinnati, Latos has been solid the rest of the way as the Reds have won 19 of his 29 starts. But the Marlins have their own reliable right-hander on the mound in Ricky Nolasco, who was the NL Co-Player of the Week last week after tossing his second shutout against the Washington Nationals in 13 days. The Marlins, who are 34-37 in their new home park this season, are trying to complete their first three-game sweep since taking three from Washington at home from May 28-30.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio, Fox Sports Florida
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (12-4, 3.72 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (12-12, 4.40)
Latos has recorded quality starts in three straight outings and eight of his last nine. His last outing, in which he allowed three runs over six innings, was a distant memory by the time the Reds finished a 4-3 win in 14 innings against the Pirates. Latos is 0-3 with an 8.82 ERA in four starts against the Marlins, but he has never pitched at Marlins Park.
Nolasco has been lights-out over his last three starts, allowing just one earned run (three total) in 25 innings with 16 strikeouts and one walk. He shut out the best team in baseball last Sunday, holding the Nationals to four hits and striking out six. Nolasco is 3-1 with a 4.99 ERA in nine games (eight starts) against Cincinnati.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati SS Zack Cozart, who has been out since Sept. 3 with a left oblique strain, took batting practice Saturday.
2. Marlins 1B Carlos Lee is on an eight-game hitting streak, and C Rob Brantly is riding a career-best seven-game streak.
3. Reds OF Jay Bruce, who shared the NL Player of the Week honor with Nolasco, is 3-for-25 with seven strikeouts since the award was announced Monday. He snapped an 0-for-17 skid with a triple Saturday.