Reds at Astros
Although the Cincinnati Reds were tripped up by one National League Central rival, they stand a good chance to regain their footing against another that is mired in a season-high six-game losing streak. The division-leading Reds will open a three-game set versus the host Houston Astros on Friday. Cincinnati dropped two of three to Pittsburgh after winning eight of its previous nine to vault atop of the NL Central.
A return to the Lone Star State could be just what the doctor ordered for Houston. After all, the Astros have been blasted when they leave home - winning just six of 25 games this season. The Colorado Rockies scored 40 runs en route to completing a four-game sweep of Houston.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSOH (Cincinnati), FSH (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (1-5, 5.47 ERA) vs. Astros LH J.A. Happ (4-4, 4.37 ERA)
After a pair of solid outings had many wondering if Leake had turned the corner on a difficult season, the 24-year-old struggled in his last trip to the mound. Leake limped out of the blocks and yielded three runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings versus Colorado on Saturday. He also lasted 3 2/3 innings - but permitted six runs on seven hits - in a 6-4 loss to Houston on April 27.
Happ struck out a season-high 10 in his last outing, but also allowed three runs on nine hits to take the loss in Sunday's setback to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 29-year-old has split a pair of decisions versus Cincinnati, but registered a 6.17 ERA and a .273 batting average against in the process.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati's Joey Votto has 12 hits and six runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak. Votto, who is hitting .405 at Minute Maid Park, has collected a hit in each of his last 18 games there. He is 4-for-11 with a pair of doubles versus Happ.
2. Houston's Jose Altuve has recorded three hits in each of his last two games and 12 in his last seven contests. He has a triple in two career at-bats versus Leake.
3. The Reds played 20 games in as many days and finished with a solid 12-8 mark. They enjoyed their first day off in essentially three weeks on Thursday.