Reds (52-68) @ Brewers (62-59) - Series Preview

The Brewers will try to salvage something on their current homestand as they take on the Reds in a three-game set at Miller Park. The Crew is holding onto a slim half game lead over the Cubs in the NL Central as play begins Friday. The Cardinals are two and a half games back of first place in the division.

Pitching match ups:

Friday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Bronson Arroyo (5-13, 4.63) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (8-9, 4,90)

Arroyo will be facing the Brewers for the first time this season. In his career against the Brewers, Arroyo is 4-3 with a 3.56 ERA in ten appearances, seven of which were starts. At Miller Park, Arroyo is 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA in five appearances, three starts. Geoff Jenkins is 5-15 with two doubles, one home run and four RBI in his career against Arroyo. In his last start, Arroyo gave up five runs and nine hits in six innings against the Padres. Arroyo is 1-2 with a 7.53 ERA in three August starts.

Suppan gave up four runs in his last start after giving up a combined three runs in the two starts prior to that start. The veteran righty pitched five and two thirds innings and picked up a no-decision because the Brewers rallied for a late win against the Astros. In his only start against the Reds this year, Suppan gave up five runs and ten hits in five innings of work in a loss. Suppan is 2-1 with a 6.65 ERA in eight career starts against the Reds. Ken Griffey Jr. likes to hit off Suppan to say the least. Junior is 11-22 with five homers and 11 RBI against Suppan in his career.

Saturday - 6:05 PM CDT:

TBA vs. RHP Claudio Vargas (9-4, 4.87)

This spot for the Reds looks like it will be Elizardo Ramirez who would be called up from the minors. Ramirez is 1-0 with a 4.13 ERA in four career starts against the Brewers. He has pitched once before at Miller Park. Ramirez gave up three runs in six innings of work in that start against the Brewers. Rickie Weeks is 7-11 with two doubles and a triple against Ramirez in his career. Ramirez has made just one appearance in the bigs this year which was about two weeks ago against the Nationals.

Vargas picked up a quality start in his last outing. He threw six innings and gave up two runs against the Astros in a no-decision as the Brewers lost the game. Vargas pitched two very poor games before that start. He will be facing the Reds for the first time this season. In his career against the Reds, Vargas is 1-2 with a 5.52 ERA in four starts. No active Red has more than two career hits against Vargas. Griffey is 2-2 with a homer against Vargas.

Sunday - 1:05 PM CDT:

RHP Aaron Harang (12-3, 3.50) vs. LHP Chris Capuano (5-10, 5.23)

Harang picked up another win in his last outing. He threw seven innings and gave up five runs and four hits against the Cubs. Last time he faced the Brewers, Harang pitched ten innings and gave up just one run. The Brewers lost that game in 12 innings. In his career against the Brewers, Harang is 4-3 with a 4.46 ERA in 12 starts. Bill Hall is 14-33 with four doubles, a triple, two homers and seven RBI in his career against Harang. Kevin Mench is 6-11 with a double, a homer and six RBI against Harang. Since the All-Star break, Harang is 3-1 with a 2.95 ERA in six starts.

Capuano gets the loss. It's becoming sort of a broken record as Capuano has now lost ten straight games. The Brewers have lost the last 15 games that Capuano has started. In his latest loss, Capuano gave up seven runs, six earned in four and one third innings of work against the Cardinals. Manager Ned Yost has talked about considering the team's options if Capauno cannot turn things around. Capuano has done well against the Reds in 2007. He is 1-0 with a 0.66 ERA in two starts against the Reds this season. In his career against the Reds, Capuano is 2-3 with a 4.53 ERA in seven starts. So far in August, Capuano is 0-3 with a 8.80 ERA. Adam Dunn is 6-19 with two doubles, a homer and three RBI against Capuano in his career.