Reds-Phillies Series Preview

CINCINNATI- The Cincinnati Reds will start a three game weekend set in Philadelphia tonight against the Phillies tonight, a place where the Reds have struggled, and winning series’ at Citizen’s Bank Park have been hard for them to do. Both teams are three and four games under .500 respectively, so it’s an important series for both ball clubs as they try to climb back up in their respected divisions.

May 10, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alfredo Simon (31) pitches during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies are (17-21) entering the series tonight and are in the bottom of the NL East, and are losers of nine of their last 13 games, a stretch in which the offense has  hit .219, just like Cincinnati, they are alike! They will send out Kyle Kendrick, who has pitched well in his career against the Reds, but has a 0-3 record in five starts, with a sub four ERA, his offense hasn’t provided him with any run support. His is still winless this season, supporting a 0-3 record with a 3.98 ERA.

The Phillies, are playing in a hitters ballpark and are having a hard time at home, where they have averaged  3.06 runs per game ranks among the worst marks in baseball. Philadelphia has been outscored 16-8 during a four-game skid at Citizens Bank Park. This series is so evenly match cause the Reds have trouble scoring at their home ballpark, where it is a hitters park.

Cincinnati will send Alfredo Simon to the mound (4-2, 2.89), who is coming off his worst start of the season in his last outing allowing  five runs and eight hits over three innings in the second-shortest start of his career, losing to the Colorado Rockies 11-2 last Saturday night Simon has never started against the Phillies.

The Reds (18-21), losers of five of eight, split a doubleheader against San Diego on Thursday. Cincinnati took the opener 5-0 before falling 6-1 in the second game.

Cincinnati are hoping to get some help from catcher Devin Mesoraco (hamstring), who could be activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday. He hit .468 with three homers and 13 RBIs in 13 games before getting hurt.

Third baseman Todd Frazier is batting .321 with three homers and 11 RBIs during a career-best 14-game hit streak.

Cincinnati plays its next six on the road, where it’s managed 11 runs during a five-game losing streak.

First pitch is at 7:05pm, TV: FSN OHIO, RADIO: 700 WLW.