Reds at Cardinals
The Cincinnati Reds ended the St. Louis Cardinals’ four-game winning streak in Tuesday’s series opener behind an impressive effort from Jose Peraza, who reached base three times and drove in two runs. Peraza looks to build on the encouraging performance when the Reds continue their three-game series against the host Cardinals on Wednesday.
Peraza has been mired in a season-long slump but has gone 6-for-16 with a homer and three RBIs over his last three games for Cincinnati, which has won 10 of its last 16 meetings with the Cardinals. Few players enjoy hitting at Busch Stadium as much as Cincinnati's Yasiel Puig, who went deep in Tuesday’s 4-1 victory and is 10-for-30 with seven homers and 13 RBIs over his last seven visits. The Cardinals were limited to six hits on Tuesday, including Matt Carpenter’s 24th career leadoff home run. Dexter Fowler has recorded 12 career blasts against Cincinnati but fanned twice while going 0-for-4 on Tuesday and is 7-for-53 with 17 strikeouts in his last 17 games.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (2-3, 4.97 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Dakota Hudson (4-3, 3.94)
DeSclafani will be happy to turn the calendar after going 1-2 with a 5.59 ERA in six starts last month. The 29-year-old native of New Jersey allowed three runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings in last Wednesday’s 7-2 loss to Pittsburgh. Paul Goldschmidt is 8-for-15 with a home run against DeSclafani, who is 6-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 12 career games (11 starts) versus St. Louis – including 1-0 with a 3.60 mark in two outings this season.
Hudson tossed six strong innings en route to winning his second straight decision on Thursday, allowing one run and four hits against Philadelphia. “It’s a continuation of what he’s been doing,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt told reporters. “He controlled his counts, imposed his will, had stopper stuff. He’s a smart guy.” The 24-year-old rookie faced Cincinnati at home on April 27, when he gave up three runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 frames in a 6-3 victory.
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis is 25-3 when leading after seven innings.
2. Cincinnati RHP Raisel Iglesias has not allowed a run in his last 11 appearances and owns a 13-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 11 innings during that stretch.
3. Carpenter is batting .302 with five homers and 11 RBIs over his last 16 contests.