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Reds-Astros Preview

Jul 24, 2010 - 4:40 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Cincinnati (53-44) at Houston (39-56), 7:05 p.m. EDT

A strong track record against Cincinnati has helped Roy Oswalt become one of the most successful pitchers in Houston history. Still, the Reds might be hoping he remains with the Astros.

Oswalt, rumored to be at the center of trade talks that could land him with the Reds' biggest rival, looks to match the Astros' franchise record for career wins as these teams play the middle game of their series Saturday night.

Cincinnati (54-44) won this series' opener 6-4 on Friday night to pull within one-half game of NL Central-leading St. Louis, which lost 5-0 to Chicago.

"We're trying not to scoreboard-watch too much, but it's obvious that we do," right fielder Jay Bruce said.

The Reds are making it tough for the Cardinals to repeat as division champions, and St. Louis is reportedly seeking help to hold them off.

St. Louis and Philadelphia have been mentioned as the teams most interested in Oswalt (6-11, 3.12 ERA), who requested a trade earlier this season. The non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, so Oswalt potentially has two more starts to try and become the Astros' all-time wins leader.

The right-hander has 143 wins for Houston (39-57), one shy of matching Joe Niekro's club record.

"It would be nice, since we're coming down to the wire," Oswalt told the Astros' official website. "You never know what's going to happen. I may have two more months to get it. You never know. Right now, it's two starts and we'll see. You take them one at a time."

Oswalt would bolster what is already a strong Cardinals pitching staff, and give them a starter that has had plenty of success versus the Reds. Oswalt is 22-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 31 starts against Cincinnati.

Six games remain between the Reds and Cardinals.

An ankle injury ended Oswalt's last start early. He was struck in the foot by a ground ball in the second inning and left after the fourth of a 9-0 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Oswalt allowed two runs and seven hits.

Cincinnati will counter with one of its top starters, Johnny Cueto (9-2, 3.39). The right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.16 ERA over his past six starts.

"He's figuring out how to win without his best stuff, and when he does have his best stuff, he'll pitch until the wheels fall off and then figure out how to put them back on," manager Dusty Baker said.

The right-hander surrendered two runs over six innings in a 7-2 victory over Washington on Monday night.

Cueto, though, has struggled against the Astros, going 0-4 with a 5.22 ERA in seven starts. He's facing a Houston team that ranks 28th in the majors in runs (344) but has averaged 6.5 over its last four contests.

The Astros have 23 hits over their last two games.

Houston right fielder Hunter Pence is 13 for 25 with three homers and six RBIs in his past six contests against the Reds. Pence leads the Astros with 14 home runs.