Cincinnati @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2011 ) Cincinnati 8, Chi. Cubs 7
THE STORY: The Cincinnati Reds put a major dent in the St. Louis Cardinals' playoff hopes by posting a 3-2 victory in 10 innings Sunday. Cincinnati took two of three from the Cardinals, marking the first time since June 2006 it won a series in St. Louis. Sunday's win was just the second in seven contests for the Reds, who begin a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday afternoon. Chicago salvaged the finale of its series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, winning for the third time in 10 contests.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds LH Dontrelle Willis (0-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Matt Garza (7-10, 3.64 ERA).
Willis still is searching for his first win of the season as he took the loss against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday after allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings. The former National League Rookie of the Year has yielded more than three runs just once in 10 outings with the Reds and has made eight quality starts. Willis, who is 0-1 with a 3.57 ERA in four home starts this year, owns a 4-3 record and 4.25 ERA in nine career meetings against Chicago.
Garza allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings at San Francisco on Tuesday to notch his second win in three outings. The 27-year-old has yielded three earned runs or less in each of his last six starts and nine of 10. Garza is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA in three outings against Cincinnati this season.
ABOUT THE CUBS (60-80): Bryan LaHair made his Cubs debut against Pittsburgh on Sunday a memorable one. LaHair started in left field and recorded a pair of singles in four at-bats, including one that drove in a run to give Chicago a 5-1 lead. LaHair had not appeared in the major leagues since hitting .250 (34-for-136) with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 45 games with Seattle in 2008. Aramis Ramirez has struggled mightily against Willis over his career, recording just two hits in 17 at-bats (.118).
ABOUT THE REDS (69-71): Bronson Arroyo allowed his major league-leading 37th home run of the year Sunday. He is three away from tying the single-season franchise record set in 2005 by Eric Milton. Billy Hamilton recorded three stolen bases for Class-A Dayton on Saturday to reach 100 for the season. The shortstop is the first player in the organization's history to hit the century mark in steals and just the 12th minor-leaguer ever to reach the plateau. Francisco Cordero notched his 320th career save Sunday, moving him past Todd Jones for 14th place on the all-time list.
FINAL PITCH: Chicago reliever Sean Marshall is one hold away from claiming the franchise single-season record. Marshall picked up his 30th hold on Saturday to match the club mark set in 2008 by Carlos Marmol.