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Astros-Reds Preview

Sep 30, 2010 - 3:33 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Houston (74-83) at Cincinnati (88-69), 7:10 p.m. EDT

After giving all his regulars a rest on the heels of their first division title in 15 years, Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Manager is expected to use a more familiar lineup the rest of the way.

While playing his starters should give Baker's team a better chance of winning, the Reds didn't have much luck last week against Houston Astros starter Brett Myers.

The NL Central champion Reds get back to work in Thursday's series finale against the Astros at Great American Ball Park, as they try to deny Myers a shot at winning 15 games for the first time in his career.

Cincinnati (88-70) clinched its first division crown since 1995, with a dramatic 3-2 win over the Astros (75-83) in Tuesday's series opener. Jay Bruce homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth, igniting a frenzied celebration at home plate.

With the beer and champagne celebration lasting well into the night, Baker rested every one of his starting position players Wednesday, and the team mustered little offense in a 2-0 loss.

"I haven't seen too many teams win the day after they clinched," Baker said. "(Thursday), most of the team will be out there. We were so high (Tuesday). You've got to pick yourself back up the next day."

Avoiding consecutive losses could be tough against Myers (14-7, 2.89 ERA), who limited Cincinnati to six hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings of a 4-3 win Sept. 19. NL MVP candidate Joey Votto went 2 for 3 with a double, but Bruce and Brandon Phillips were a combined 0 for 6.

Myers wasn't as sharp in his last start, permitting six runs, six hits and four walks in six innings of Friday's 10-7 win at Pittsburgh. Thanks to the generous run support, he tied his career high for victories, established in 2003 with Philadelphia. He also kept alive his string of pitching at least six innings in all 32 starts this season - the longest such streak since Curt Schilling went at least six innings in all 35 of his starts in 2002 for Arizona.

"The thing is, he battled all night and he's done that all year," Houston manager Brad Mills said of Myers. "That's why he's our top-of-the-rotation starter."

Myers has won four straight starts and is 6-0 with a 2.07 ERA in nine outings since losing in Milwaukee on Aug. 7.

The Reds counter with Bronson Arroyo (16-10, 3.97), who looks to continue his dominance of the Astros in his postseason tuneup.

Arroyo, who could start Game 1 of Cincinnati's division series next week, gave up two runs through five innings before being lifted for a pinch hitter against San Diego on Saturday. He didn't get a decision in the Reds' 4-3 loss.

Six days before that in Houston, Arroyo allowed one run and four hits in six innings of an 11-1 win, improving to 6-0 with a 1.81 ERA in his last six starts against the Astros.

Despite his recent success against Houston, Arroyo has struggled against Carlos Lee.

The Astros slugger, who had three hits and an RBI Wednesday, is 6 for 16 (.375) with two homers and two doubles against Arroyo since the start of last season.