Cubs-Reds Game 2 Preview

In a rematch of a pitching matchup back in Chicago, Edwin Jackson started and gave the Chicago Cubs a rare win against the Cincinnati Reds, he beat Tony Cingrani

Given the way Cingrani has performed at home, the Reds have hope that things will be different tonight when they look to take both games of a rain-shortened series at Great American Ball Park.

Jackson and Cingrani were the starters April 19 when Jackson won and limited Cincinnati to two runs over 5 2-3 innings in an 8-4 victory.

Now Jackson will try again to slow down Cincinnati. He’s 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA in six career starts dating to his time with St. Louis, and held the Reds to a run over seven innings Sept. 10 as the Cubs cruised to a 9-1 win in his most recent start in Cincinnati.

Cingrani certainly didn’t have his best stuff in the meeting earlier this month, allowing three runs and walking four over five innings. But he regrouped to hold Pittsburgh to one run while striking out seven over six innings in Thursday’s 2-1 road win.

“I threw the ball a little better than I did the last time,” Cingrani told the team’s official website. “My mechanics are getting a little bit more repeatable, but I still have a little ways to go.”

The left-hander looks to continue making those strides at home, where he hasn’t given more than three runs in 11 career starts. He’s allowed just two runs in 13 1-3 innings in his two outings there this season.

Although Cingrani is 4-3 with a 2.75 ERA all-time at home.

The Cubs big hitters in the lineup Starlin Castro (1 for 12), Anthony Rizzo (2 for 10) and Darwin Barney (0 for 9) have struggled when facing Cingrani.

Although Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce is just 3 for 16 and Ryan Ludwick has gone 3 for 14 with seven strikeouts against Jackson, Joey Votto is 7 for 18 with two home runs.

Billy Hamilton hit his first career homer and matched a career high with three hits as the Reds snapped a three-game losing streak with a series-opening 3-2 victory.

Apr 24, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tony Cingrani (52) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

First pitch is at 7:10pm, TV: FSN OHIO, RADIO: 700 WLW.