Texas @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 20, 2019 ) Cincinnati 6, Texas 1

The Texas Rangers vaulted into the second wild-card slot on the back of a 19-8 tear, but a promising start to a seven-game road trip was dulled by consecutive one-run losses at defending World Series champion Boston. The Rangers will try to rebound from a crushing defeat when they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night in the opener of a three-game interleague set.

Elvis Andrus extended his hitting streak to five games with three hits and three RBIs in Thursday's 7-6 loss as Texas blew an early five-run lead one night after dropping a 4-3 decision on a walk-off walk. Hunter Pence also has his safely in five straight games while collecting five RBIs in the last three contests for the Rangers, who are 12-20 away from home. Cincinnati salvaged a split of a two-game series with a 7-2 victory at in-state rival Cleveland on Wednesday and will continue an eight-game interleague stretch with six straight at home. Joey Votto, who is 23-for-58 over his last 14 games, said he was "totally fine" after exiting Wednesday's game due to stiffness in his back.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers TBD vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (2-6, 4.21 ERA)

The Rangers will be forced to go with a bullpen game after manager Chris Woodward made the decision on Wednesday to bypass struggling left-hander Drew Smyly, who was initially scheduled to start Friday. Smyly is a strong possibility to pitch in relief after failing to go beyond 3 1/3 innings in his last two starts. Right-hander Shelby Miller, who also was yanked from the starting rotation earlier this season, could be in the mix after last pitching an inning in relief on Sunday.

Mahle was in the midst of a solid outing at Philadelphia a week ago until serving up a go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth inning that sent him to his first loss since May 7. The 24-year-old surrendered three runs (two earned) on four hits in his third consecutive outing of five innings, snapping a four-start unbeaten streak that came on the heels of five straight defeats. Mahle has pitched much better at Great American Ball Park, sporting a 2-0 record and 2.25 ERA in three starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Andrus has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games.

2. Reds OF Nick Senzel is 6-for-15 with a homer and two doubles during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Rangers 3B Asdrubal Cabrera went 2-for-16 in the four-game set versus Boston.

PREDICTION: Reds 5, Rangers 4