Cincinnati @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2011 ) Cincinnati 3, Chi. Cubs 4

THE STORY: The Chicago Cubs look to make it three in a row Tuesday when they host the Cincinnati Reds in the middle game of their three-game series at Wrigley Field. Chicago has not won three straight games since Aug. 13-15 and hasn't captured three in a row at home since July 22-24. The Reds are 2-2 on their nine-game road trip and have lost six of their last eight overall. Cincinnati has no chance of making the playoffs but can claim second place in the National League Central as it trails St. Louis by five games.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), CSN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (11-9, 4.12 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Rodrigo Lopez (4-6, 4.94 ERA).

Leake is coming off a loss to Philadelphia on Thursday in which he allowed four runs over six innings. The 23-year-old, who leads the Reds in wins, has pitched at least six innings in each of his last nine starts. Leake suffered his first loss in five career outings against Chicago on Aug. 5, when he yielded three runs in six frames at Wrigley Field.

Lopez suffered his third straight loss Wednesday at San Francisco as he surrendered four runs in 5 1/3 innings. The 35-year-old has given up four or more runs in five of his last seven outings. Lopez went 2-0 in six career starts against Cincinnati before tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief vs. the Reds on June 7.

ABOUT THE CUBS (61-80): Righthander Andrew Cashner was activated from the 60-day disabled list Monday and is expected to be used in relief for the remainder of the season. Cashner allowed one run and two hits in 5 1/3 innings against Arizona on April 5 before leaving with a strained rotator cuff. The 24-year-old made his final rehab appearance Sunday for Triple-A Iowa, striking out one while throwing 12 pitches in a scoreless inning. There's a good chance Tyler Colvin will be in the lineup Tuesday. Colvin is 4-for-11 lifetime against Leake, with all four hits being home runs. Blake DeWitt is 5-for-11 vs. Leake, but Aramis Ramirez is just 2-for-13.

ABOUT THE REDS (69-72): Catcher Devin Mesoraco, who had a pinch-hit double in his major league debut Saturday, made his first start in the big leagues Monday. He went 0-for-4 but notched his first career RBI with a groundout. Dontrelle Willis made his 200th career start Monday but failed to produce his first win in 11 outings this season. Willis has not won since June 5, 2010, while with Arizona. Bronson Arroyo expects to make his next start despite being hit on his left leg Sunday with a line drive that broke several blood vessels.

FINAL PITCH: Cincinnati's Francisco Cordero set down St. Louis in order in the 10th inning Sunday for his 30th save of the season. It also was the closer's 17th save of at least three outs in which he retired every batter he faced, putting him third in the majors in that category. Only Mariano Rivera (22) and Craig Kimbrel (18) have more.