San Francisco @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2012 ) San Francisco 2, Cincinnati 1

The San Francisco Giants are living dangerously, while the Cincinnati Reds are scrambling to set their rotation. The drama continues in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday with Cincinnati leading 2-1 after the Giants won 2-1 in 10 innings Tuesday. The Giants won despite managing only three hits and striking out 16 times, and the first two batters in the Giants lineup - Angel Pagan and Marco Scutaro - are 2-for-24 in the series. Cincinnati is still seeking its first home playoff win in 17 years after Scott Rolen’s fielding error allowed the winning run to score Tuesday.

Cincinnati has placed Johnny Cueto (oblique strain) on the disabled list and activated Mike Leake to start Game 4. Cueto is ineligible to return in the NL Championship Series, but he could be activated for the World Series if Cincinnati advances. The Reds were 50-31 during the regular season at Great American Ball Park, where they didn’t lose three consecutive home games all year. They’re hoping to win Game 4 and enjoy a few days rest before the NLCS, especially after Cueto’s injury shook up their rotation. First baseman Joey Votto is 3-for-9 in the series, but hasn’t homered since returning from knee surgery on Sept. 5. The Giants will send Barry Zito to the mound in Game 4, with Matt Cain set to start Game 5, if necessary. Two-time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum will be available out of the bullpen.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (8-9, 4.58 ERA) vs. Giants LH Barry Zito (15-8, 4.15)

Leake threw a complete game against the Giants on June 29 at AT&T Park, allowing nine hits and just one Pablo Sandoval home run. Sandoval is 7-for-10 with two homers against Leake, who has struggled at home this season, going 4-5 with a 5.54 ERA and 17 home runs allowed in 16 starts. After a strong start this year, Leake had a 5.27 ERA after the All-Star break. If Game 5 is necessary, the Reds are expected to start Mat Latos, who pitched four innings in relief of Cueto in Game 1.

Zito is set to make his first playoff start since 2006 after he was left off the Giants’ postseason roster in 2010. The Giants won each of Zito’s last 11 starts of the season, and he went 7-0 with a 3.92 ERA during that stretch. Brandon Phillips is 8-for-19 (.421) against Zito, who is 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA in six career starts in Cincinnati and received an average of 5.96 runs of support in his 32 starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Since Division Series play began in 1995, the team that started 2-0 has advanced 38 of 42 times.

2. Giants RF Hunter Pence is 1-for-12 in the series and experienced leg cramps in the 10th inning Tuesday, but is expected to play Wednesday.

3. Cincinnati’s starting pitcher has taken a no-hit bid into the fifth inning in each of the past two games.