Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( May 19, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 5, Cincinnati 3

THE STORY: Cincinnati is the defending NL Central champion, and Pittsburgh has endured a major-league record 18 straight losing seasons. But as the teams open a three-game series in Pittsburgh on Monday, it’s the Reds who are looking up at the Pirates. Surprising Pittsburgh sits one-half game behind Milwaukee for the division lead, three ahead of Cincinnati. The Pirates are 5-1 against the Reds this season and have yet to face them at PNC Park.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT, FS-O

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH James McDonald (5-4, 4.42 ERA) vs. Reds LH Dontrelle Willis (0-0, 3.00) –

McDonald, whose last four outings have resulted in no-decisions, is a much better pitcher at PNC Park where he’s posted a 3.18 ERA and held opponents to a .249 average. Those numbers balloon to 5.79 ERA and a .306 average on the road. On May 19 in Cincy, he held the Reds to one run on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings as Pittsburgh won 5-3.

It’s been five years since Willis was an effective major-league starter, but his first start for the Reds bodes well. He allowed two runs in six innings against Milwaukee on July 10, striking out four and walking four. Willis earned a chance in the rotation, replacing Edinson Volquez, by going 5-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 starts at Triple-A Louisville.

ABOUT THE REDS (47-48): Rookie shortstop Zack Cozart has energized the team, hitting safely in all six games he’s played and cracking his first homer in Sunday’s 3-1 win over St. Louis. Cozart, who’s batting .400 with five runs scored out of the No. 2 hole, has Cincy’s longest hitting streak to start a career since Adam Dunn debuted with a seven-game streak in 2001. The Reds are breathing easier about closer Francisco Cordero after he pitched a perfect ninth against the Cards on Sunday. Cordero (18 of 23 on save chances) had blown his last three save opportunities prior to the All-Star break.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (49-44): Center fielder Andrew McCutchen has 16 RBIs in the 16 games he’s batted cleanup, though he’s in a 1-for-14 skid. Left fielder Alex Presley (.343, 11 runs, 4 steals in 16 games) continues to ignite the Pirates from the leadoff spot. He went 3-for-6 in Sunday’s 7-5, 11-inning win in Houston. Shortstop Ronny Cedeno (concussion) began a minor-league rehab assignment Sunday and could rejoin the team for the weekend series against St. Louis.

FINAL PITCH: Cincinnati is aiming for its first two-game win streak since June 14-15.