Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2012 ) Cincinnati 1, Pittsburgh 2
Johnny Cueto will attempt to become the third National League pitcher to record his 20th victory this season when the Cincinnati Reds right-hander takes the mound in Sunday's series finale versus the host Pittsburgh Pirates. Cueto has dominated the Pirates, winning 12 of 16 career decisions - including two of three this season. He has surrendered just six runs and struck out 15 in 23 2/3 innings against Pittsburgh in 2012.
Andrew McCutchen dealt the Reds a critical blow in their bid for home-field advantage throughout the postseason. His one-out walk-off blast in the ninth inning gave the Pirates a 2-1 triumph on Saturday, while ultimately dropping Cincinnati one full game behind Washington for the best record in the majors. McCutchen's homer salvaged a 1-for-5 day for him at the plate, but he dropped eight points behind San Francisco's Buster Posey (.337) in the batting race.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSOH (Cincinnati), ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Johnny Cueto (19-9, 2.83 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Wandy Rodriguez (12-13, 3.79)
Cueto yielded two runs in seven solid innings to record his second straight triumph with a 4-2 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday. The 26-year-old Dominican kept his control in check after issuing four walks in his previous outing. Cueto will look to join Washington's Gio Gonzalez and New York's R.A. Dickey as 20-game winners.
Rodriguez posted his fourth straight victory and fifth in six decisions after recording a quality start versus the Mets on Tuesday. The 33-year-old Dominican overcame two homers to pick up the win. Rodriguez has permitted two homers in his previous eight contests. He is 8-11 in his career versus the Reds.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati's lackluster offense has mustered just five runs over its last 36 innings. Scott Rolen's RBI single in the eighth on Saturday snapped the Reds' 15-inning scoreless streak.
2. After sitting out on Saturday, Reds 2B Brandon Phillips will return to the lineup in the series finale. Jay Bruce, Zack Cozart and Scott Rolen are expected to be bystanders, according to acting manager Chris Speier.
3. McCutchen has struggled versus Cueto, going 8-for-34 with three homers in his career.