Los Angeles @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2012 ) Cincinnati 1, LA Dodgers 4

The Cincinnati Reds clinched at least a wild-card spot on Thursday and can sew up their second National League Central crown in three years when they open a three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. Cincinnati’s magic number is two and the clinching could occur Friday if the Reds win and the St. Louis Cardinals lose to the Chicago Cubs. The Dodgers have lost 10 of 14 games and their wild-card hopes are fading.

Reds manager Dusty Baker missed the last two games of Cincinnati’s four-game winning streak after being hospitalized in Chicago due to an irregular heartbeat. Baker isn’t expected to manage Friday but will return to Cincinnati. Bench coach Chris Speier is 6-0 as a fill-in manager since 2008. The Dodgers are three games behind the Cardinals for the NL’s second wild card. Los Angeles is struggling on offense despite a lineup that includes first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielders Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Shane Victorino. The Dodgers have scored just 48 runs in 17 September games, a paltry average of 2.8 per outing.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Joe Blanton (9-13, 4.97 ERA) vs. Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (12-8, 3.74)

Blanton is just 1-4 with a 6.07 ERA in eight starts since Los Angeles acquired him from the Philadelphia Phillies. He received a no-decision in his last outing when he gave up three runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Blanton hasn’t faced Cincinnati this season and is 2-0 with a 4.85 ERA in four career starts against the Reds.

Arroyo lost to the Miami Marlins in his last outing to snap a five-game winning streak. He gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings after allowing just six runs over his previous four starts. Arroyo hasn’t faced Los Angeles this season and is 5-4 with a 3.92 ERA in 14 career appearances (13 starts) against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds OF Ryan Ludwick (groin) missed Thursday’s contest and is questionable to play in the opener against Los Angeles.

2. Kemp is batting .409 with two homers in 22 at-bats against Arroyo, but Gonzalez is hitting just .115 with one homer in 26 at-bats.

3. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is batting .391 (9-for-23) during a seven-game hitting streak.