St. Louis (68-56) scored 24 runs to sweep lowly Houston in a three-game set that concluded a 6-3 homestand. Owners of the NL's second wild-card spot, the Cardinals pounded out 17 hits in a 13-5 win Thursday.
Matheny hopes his club can continue to produce in Cincinnati (76-50), then at fellow contender Pittsburgh for three games before finishing the trip with four versus NL-leading Washington. While the Reds own a seven-game division lead over second-place St. Louis, the Pirates trail the Cardinals by one in the wild-card standings.
Winning just one game against the Reds has been tough for the reigning World Series champs of late. Though the Cardinals were swept in a three-game series at Cincinnati from July 13-15, two were decided by two runs and the other by one.
Matheny likely will need some of his hottest hitters to remain that way this weekend.
Allen Craig is batting .417 (20 for 48) during a 12-game hitting streak, but is 1 for 18 in his career versus Cincinnati. Outfielder Jon Jay is 10 for 22 in the last four games following an 0-for-9 slump, but has hit .167 (4 for 24) at Great American Ball Park in 2012.
Lance Lynn (13-5, 3.73 ERA) makes his first start versus Cincinnati after posting a 2.25 ERA in three relief appearances against the Reds last season.
The right-hander has enjoyed a stellar first full season in the majors but has a 6.49 ERA in his last five starts after going 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in his previous three. Lynn allowed three runs, three walks and struck out eight in 4 1-3 innings of a 5-4 win over the Pirates on Saturday.
Cincinnati counters with Mat Latos (10-3, 3.56), who is 1-3 with a 9.75 ERA in five starts versus St. Louis. He's allowed 10 runs and walked six over 10 2-3 innings while going 0-1 against the Cardinals in 2012.
The right-hander yielded one run over 21 1-3 in his previous three outings before he gave up four - two earned - in eight innings of a 5-4 walkoff win over Chicago on Sunday.
The Reds settled for a split of a four-game set at Philadelphia after falling 4-3 in 11 innings Thursday. Todd Frazier had three RBIs and one of Cincinnati's six hits.
Frazier is batting .444 with five homers and 16 RBIs in his last 15 games, though he may be relegated to the bench with Joey Votto slated to return soon. Frazier's only hit in seven at-bats versus St. Louis this season left the park.
Ex-Cardinal Ryan Ludwick has hit .358 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs in his last 15 home contests, but is 2 for 15 with a homer against his former club at Great American Ball Park in 2012.
Lynn last 3 starts 6.46 ERA and 1.566 WHIP
Latos last 3 starts 1.23 ERA and 0.909 WHIP
Cardinals are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
Cardinals are 5-11 in their last 16 road games.
Cardinals are 2-5 in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cardinals are 1-5 in their last 6 games as a road underdog.
Cardinals are 1-6 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Cardinals are 0-5 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cardinals are 4-1 in Lynns last 5 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.Cardinals are 9-3 in Lynns last 12 road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cardinals are 17-8 in Lynns last 25 starts.
Reds are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a loss.
Reds are 11-1 in their last 12 Friday games.
Reds are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Reds are 14-4 in their last 18 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Reds are 4-0 in Latos' last 4 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.Reds are 9-1 in Latos' last 10 home starts.
Reds are 8-1 in Latos' last 9 starts as a home favorite.
Reds are 5-1 in Latos' last 6 starts as a favorite.
Reds are 5-1 in Latos' last 6 starts.
Cardinals are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Cincinnati.
Cardinals are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings.
Mat Latos is pitching tonight...enough said. The Reds have dominated the Cardinals and i believe they will again tonight. There is so much information supporting the Reds tonight. I could bore you to death with all of it. Simply put, Lynn is no dominate pitcher...Latos is. Tonight we play the Reds ML and RL. Good Luck
Note: The line has come way down from last night where i got -135. This is simply a gift - enjoy it. The lines i'm posting are current.
CIN REDS -119
CIN REDS -1½+170
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