Cleveland @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2011 ) Cleveland 8, Cincinnati 2

THE STORY: The Cleveland Indians hope to go 5-0 against the Reds this season when the teams meet in Cincinnati on Saturday. Cleveland hit three home runs in Friday's 8-2 victory. The Indians, who swept three games from the Reds in Cleveland in May, have already won the annual Ohio Cup Series, their first victory in the intrastate rivalry since 2005. Friday's win also moved Cleveland back into first place in the American League Central, a half-game ahead of Detroit. The Reds, who had won two of three in Tampa Bay, fell flat to start a weekend homestand.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Fausto Carmona (4-10, 5.89 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (3-2, 3.86). Carmona, who started on Opening Day, could be pitching himself out of the rotation. He is 1-7 in his last 10 starts. Not only is he not pitching like a No. 1 starter, he isn't even performing like a fifth starter. Manager Manny Acta has been a strong supporter of the righthander, but how long can that last? Carmona is 0-1 in his career against the Reds. Bailey, who missed a month with a sore shoulder, will make his sixth start of the season. He allowed five runs and nine hits in five innings in his first outing since coming off the disabled list Sunday against Baltimore. Bailey has given up five home runs in 35 innings, and pitching in hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark may not help that statistic. Bailey is 2-1 lifetime against Cleveland.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (43-37): Despite Cleveland's struggles in the last month, the Indians are still on top in the AL Central, which will force the front office to make some tough decisions. The Indians need to add a bat to their lineup, which will be without Shin-Soo Choo for at least six or seven weeks. General Manager Chris Antonetti won't trade any top prospects to add a hitter, but the chance to win the division could be wasted if a move isn't made. The Indians are 10-6 in interleague play and 3-4 in their nine-game stretch in National League parks.

ABOUT THE REDS (42-41): While Cincinnati has one of the best offenses in the National League, the Reds are being held back by their poor pitching. Cincinnati is 14th in the league in ERA. Johnny Cueto has been the only reliable starter and some changes in the rotation will have to be made in the second half. Closer Francisco Cordero is a big reason the Reds have stayed close in the NL Central. He converted all seven of his save chances in June and is 16-for-18 for the season. Cordero hasn't had enough chances to save games thanks mostly to the starters. The Reds are 5-11 in interleague play.

FINAL PITCH: Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips homered twice Friday. His ninth-inning blast was the 1,000th hit of his career.