Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 18, 2011 ) Cincinnati 0, Pittsburgh 2

THE STORY: If the upstart Pittsburgh Pirates end the longest stretch of futility in North American professional sports --18 non-winning seasons in a row-- it may be because of their impressive play within the division. The first-place Pirates will try for a sixth straight win over the defending National League Central champion Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. Charlie Morton and three relievers combined for a three-hitter, leading the Pirates to a 2-0 win Monday. Pittsburgh improved to a NL Central-best 23-13 within the division.

TV: 7:05 pm. ET, ROOT Sports, Fox Sports Ohio

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH James McDonald (5-4, 4.42 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mike Leake (8-4, 4.28).

McDonald is winless in his last four starts despite a 3.19 ERA in that span. He is 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts against the Reds this season. McDonald may not have the wins to show for it of late, but he’s been a good-luck charm. Pittsburgh has won seven of his last eight starts.

Leake is looking to rebound from his worst start since returning from a brief stint in the minors. The righthander allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, but didn’t receive a decision in a 8-7 loss to Milwaukee on July 8. Leake is 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA in his last nine starts since rejoining the Reds on May 27. He is 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA in four starts vs. the Pirates.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (50-44): The Pirates have gone 18 years between winning seasons, but with each passing day it is becoming more likely that dubious streak will end. Monday’s victory, their 15th win in 22 games, helped them move six games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 1992 season. Neil Walker’s batting .460 (23-for-50) during a 12-game hitting streak. Meanwhile, rookie Alex Presley has added a spark to the top of the lineup, hitting .352 with one homer, nine RBIs and 12 runs scored since being called up on June 28. Jose Tabata (quad) may not get his job back once he returns from the disabled list later this month.

ABOUT THE REDS (47-49): The Reds continued their uneven play. One day after taking the rubber-match from the archrival St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati was shutout for the fifth time this season. The good news is the defending NL Central champions aren’t losing too much ground within the division. Though the Reds haven’t won consecutive games in more than a month (June 13-15), they are just four games back of Pittsburgh. Rookie Zack Cozart extended his hitting streak to seven games on Monday, making him the first Reds’ callup to hit in seven straight since Adam Dunn in 2001. Cincinnati has had a flare for the dramatic this season, recording the most come-from-behind win in baseball (28).

FINAL PITCH: “The Pirates have had our number all year, man. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll tell you one thing: They’re a good team, they’re for real.” – Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Philips on the surprising Pirates.