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Reds-Cubs Preview

Jul 25, 2009 - 12:07 AM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Cincinnati (44-50) at Chicago (48-45), 1:05 p.m. EDT

Lou Piniella has said repeatedly that the Chicago Cubs' chances of repeating as NL Central champs depend heavily on the team's ability to revive its offense. The Cubs have given their manager reason to be optimistic lately.

After riding another strong offensive performance to a win, the Cubs hope to maintain some consistency at the plate as they continue a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs (49-45) led the NL with 5.31 runs per game en route to the best record in the league last season, but haven't had the same production this year. They're in the middle of the pack with an average of 4.27 runs.

However, the offense has shown signs of life lately, averaging 5.75 runs to lead Chicago to a 6-2 record since the All-Star break.

The Cubs followed an 11-3 win at Washington by totaling two runs in back-to-back losses at Philadelphia, but they've totaled 18 runs and 27 hits over the last two games, both victories. Chicago matched a season high with four homers in an 8-5 win over the Reds (44-51) on Friday.

Aramis Ramirez was 4 for 5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs in his most productive game since coming off the disabled list July 6.

"He knows how to drive in runs," said Piniella, whose club is in position to move five games over .500 for the first time since it was 21-16 on May 19.

"He's done it his whole career. He's a good, professional bat in the middle part of your lineup. We've missed that for a long, long time here. Get him going and it really helps."

Sidelined nearly two months by a shoulder injury, Ramirez is 6 for 9 with one homer, three doubles, five RBIs and three runs scored in his last two games.

"I'm the cleanup hitter, and I'm here to drive in runs in key situations," said Ramirez, who admits he still feels pain in the shoulder. "Any time you lose your cleanup hitter, it's going to affect everybody. We have a great team. The second half we're playing pretty good, and hopefully we keep going."

Ramirez is 2 for 9 (.222) with a home run and three strikeouts in his career against Cincinnati starter Johnny Cueto (8-6, 3.67 ERA).

Cueto has an 8.26 ERA over his last six starts after posting a 2.17 ERA in his first 13. He gave up a season high-tying 10 hits Sunday but held Milwaukee to three runs in six innings of Cincinnati's 5-3 victory.

Cueto, a right-hander, is 2-3 with a 3.66 ERA in five starts against the Cubs. He limited them to four hits in seven innings of a 3-0 victory April 22.

Ted Lilly was originally scheduled to start for Chicago, but the All-Star left-hander was scratched Friday because of shoulder soreness. He'll be replaced by Kevin Hart (1-1, 2.30), who's fared well in his first two major league starts.

Hart had a 1.59 ERA over four relief appearances before he was moved into the rotation July 8 against Atlanta. He gave up one run and four hits over five innings in that 4-1 defeat, then allowed two runs and five hits in five innings of Sunday's 11-3 win at Washington.

Despite his relatively smooth transition to a starter's role, the right-hander is concerned about his control. He's walked 10 in 10 innings in his two starts.

"They're killing me," Hart said of the walks. "I've been fortunate the last few times out to pitch out of some jams. I know if I keep it up I'm not going to be as fortunate every time."

The Reds have lost four straight and six of eight since the All-Star break. Cincinnati is a season-worst seven games under .500.

"It's a very frustrating game, frustrating road trip, frustrating since the second half started," manager Dusty Baker said.