Chicago @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Cincinnati 2

THE STORY: The Cincinnati Reds still have time to make a push for .500. The Chicago Cubs, ensured of another losing campaign, are keeping excitement alive with some individual pursuits. The Reds edged the Cubs 2-1 on Tuesday to snap a three-game skid and push back to within four games of .500 with 14 left to play. Youth and a streaking veteran have helped the cause. Johnny Cueto will be looking to maintain his ERA lead when he takes the mound for the Reds in the third of a four-game series against visiting Chicago on Wednesday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Johnny Cueto (9-5, 2.36 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Casey Coleman (2-7, 6.65).

Cueto is bidding to become the first Cincinnati starter to lead the National League in ERA since Ed Heusser in 1944. The 25-year-old Cueto has been the one consistent part of the Reds rotation since coming off the disabled list in May and held his ERA below 2.00 until Aug. 23. Beginning with that outing, Cueto has not factored in the decision in four straight starts while posting a 4.88 ERA. He allowed three runs in seven innings at Chicago last week. Coleman has not won in the majors since May 19 at Florida. The 24-year-old has bounced between Chicago and the minors this season and came back up for good Aug. 17. Coleman has gone 0-3 with a 5.74 ERA since. He pitched at New York over the weekend, allowing four runs on eight hits in five innings. In three career games - two starts - against Cincinnati, the Florida native has posted a 4.80 ERA.

ABOUT THE REDS (72-76): Cincinnati has had some highlights of late, such as Juan Francisco’s 502-foot home run Monday that sailed over the bleachers in right. Or Brandon Phillips’ late bid for a .300 average and 20 home runs. Phillips homered twice Monday and once Tuesday to bring his season total to 15. His 1-for-2 night pushed his average to .297. Rookies Francisco, Yonder Alonso and Devin Mesoraco are getting regular playing time as well, giving the Reds even more thump throughout the lineup. Alonso went 2-for-4 on Tuesday for his ninth multi-hit game in 13 starts. A first baseman by trade, one of Cincinnati’s decisions this winter will be what to do with Alonso, who is blocked by reigning MVP Joey Votto.

ABOUT THE CUBS (65-83): Much like the Reds, it is all about individual milestones and planning for the future in Chicago. Aramis Ramirez, who is a free agent at season’s end unless the club picks up its $16 million option, hit his 25th homer Monday to become the first Cub since Billy Williams to bash at least 25 homers and hit 30 doubles in six different seasons. Starlin Castro, 21, is leading the National League in hits with 190 and has reached base in 26 straight games. Castro went 0-for-3 with a walk Tuesday to snap his 13-game hitting streak.

FINAL PITCH: Coleman’s father Joe pitched in the majors from 1965-79 and was the last pitcher to win 23 games for the Detroit Tigers before Justin Verlander secured his 23rd on Tuesday night. The elder Coleman ranks 105th all-time in strikeouts with 1,728 and went 23-15 for the Tigers in 1973. Casey never saw his father pitch in the majors and said of Joe, “It’s cool to get mentioned like that, especially with a guy like Verlander, who’s the best pitcher in baseball right now.”