Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 3, Cincinnati 5

In the space of a little more than a month, the Pittsburgh Pirates have gone from contending for a division title to trying to avoid a record 20th consecutive losing season. The Pirates remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, trailing the St. Louis Cardinals by 2 1/2 games for the second wild card despite a freefall that has seen them lose five straight games and 22 of their last 31. Pittsburgh sends ace A.J. Burnett to the mound Wednesday seeking to avoid a three-game sweep in Cincinnati.

The Reds own a 10 1/2-game lead atop the National League Central Division, giving them the luxury of resting fireballing closer Aroldis Chapman, who is dealing with fatigue in his left shoulder. Cincinnati is 29 games above .500, matching its high-water mark of the season, and is 2 1/2 games behind Washington for the best record in baseball and No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Scott Rolen returned to the starting lineup after a five-game absence and homered Tuesday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (15-6, 3.68 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (10-9, 4.03)

Burnett has hit a dry spell in the past three weeks, going 0-2 in his last four starts and failing to get through the seventh inning in each of them. He could not overcome seven errors by his teammates and was tagged for seven runs - three earned - over five-plus innings in a loss to the Chicago Cubs in his last outing. Burnett has won all three starts against the Reds this year, giving up five earned runs in 20 2/3 innings.

Bailey has not won in his last five starts, although he has turned in back-to-back strong outings, giving up three runs and striking out 18 in 14 2/3 innings. A rare blown save by Chapman cost him a victory last time out in a 5-3 loss to Houston. Bailey has a 6-2 record and a 3.00 ERA in 10 career starts against Pittsburgh, but he's struggled at home this year with a 3-7 mark and 5.36 ERA in 15 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 2B Brandon Phillips homered Tuesday, boosting the team's record to 16-0 when he goes deep.

2. Pirates 2B Neil Jones (back) participated in a simulated game Tuesday and could be close to returning. He's been out since Aug. 26.

3. Reds SS Zack Cozart (oblique) sat out his seventh consecutive game.