Reds-Cubs Game 2 Preview

Apr 13, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tony Cingrani throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Wrigley Field is a place the Cincinnati Reds can call their “second home” because of their recent dominance inside the friendly confines. They will look to continue it later this afternoon.

Looking for a fourth straight victory overall, the Reds can continue their dominance in Chicago by handing the Cubs a sixth consecutive lost today.

Alfredo Simon allowed a run over six innings and Ryan Ludwick had two hits as Cincinnati won 4-1 at Chicago on Friday to extend its longest win streak of the young 2014 season.

Winners in 16 of 17 at Wrigley, the Reds have outscored the Cubs 17-5 during a four-game road series winning stretch.

The Reds certainly won’t change that approach, especially if second baseman Brandon Phillips is unable to play after he left the series opener in the third inning with back spasms. Phillips, who had a hit Friday, is batting .333 on the road.

Scheduled Reds starter and south suburban Chicago native Tony Cingrani (1-1, 2.60 ERA) has a tough act following Simon’s performance, but hopes to build on Sunday’s effort when he allowed a two-run homer in 6 1-3 innings of a 12-4 win over Tampa Bay.

The left-hander, who has yielded 10 hits in 17 1-3 innings over three starts, went 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four outings against the Cubs last season.

Cingrani faces a Chicago team that snapped a 24-inning scoreless drought on Friday. The Cubs are batting .184 with 30 hits while being outscored 25-9 during their five-game losing streak.

In search of his first quality start, Chicago’s Edwin Jackson (0-1, 6.19) takes the mound looking for a better effort after he allowed four runs in six innings of a 6-4 loss at St. Louis on Sunday. The right-hander has walked 11 in 16 innings.

Jackson is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in five starts against the Reds, but 0-4 with a 6.91 ERA in six starts since yielding a run over seven innings of a 9-1 victory at Cincinnati on Sept. 10.

First pitch is at 2:20pm, game will be on FSN OHIO and radio (700 WLW).