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Cubs ready to test Reds

Apr 21, 2009 - 4:51 AM By Santosh Venkataraman Stats Senior Writer

Cincinnati (7-5) at Chi Cubs (7-4), 8:05 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (AP) -- After two days off, the Chicago Cubs are gearing up for a heavy dose of baseball.

The Cubs will begin a stretch of 21 straight games without an off day when they open a three-game home series against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.

Chicago (7-4) had the finale of a four-game series with St. Louis rained out Sunday night, and was off Monday. The break was welcome for the Cubs' bullpen, which pitched a total of 17 innings over the last four games, posting a 3.18 ERA.

"No question, our bullpen could use a break," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "There's no question about that."

The Cubs' next day off is May 11.

One reason why the manager was forced to go to his relievers early was Rich Harden's last start. Harden (0-1, 5.00 ERA) lasted three innings and gave up four runs Wednesday in a 5-2 loss to Colorado.

Harden will try to bounce back versus the Reds (7-5), who he is 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA against in two outings. The right-hander's loss last week was his first at Wrigley Field in eight starts.

The Cubs are hoping to have outfielder Milton Bradley back in the lineup Tuesday. Bradley, in a 1-for-19 slump, has been out of the lineup for five straight games with a right groin strain.

"I would think there's a good chance to see him on Tuesday night. I would say that the chances are good," Piniella said.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez has five RBIs in the last two games for the Cubs, including a two-run walk-off homer in the 11th inning of a 7-5 win over St. Louis on Saturday.

Chicago went 8-7 against Cincinnati last season, including a 6-3 mark at home. The Cubs have won four straight home series against the Reds.

"They're a good young club, they've got some pitching," Piniella told the Cubs' official Web site. "They're going to have a say in this National League Central. We'll be ready for them."

Cincinnati improved to 5-2 on this 10-game road trip against NL Central foes with a 4-3 win at Houston on Monday. Joey Votto doubled in two runs in the seventh inning to put the Reds ahead for good and Francisco Cordero worked the ninth for his fifth save in as many chances.

"I feels great to beat a team in our division and to win on the road," Votto said. "But the best part of it was I don't think a single player on the bench was concerned when we were behind."

Reds right fielder Jay Bruce has not started the last three games with a sore right hand, but may return Tuesday.

"That's my goal, but I can't say definitely," he told the Reds' official Web site. "It's continuing to get better."

Micah Owings (0-1, 7.20) will try to fare better than he did in his Cincinnati debut last Wednesday at Milwaukee. He allowed four runs over five-plus innings in a 9-3 loss.

The right-hander is 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA against Chicago in four appearances, including two starts.

Owings, also known for his bat, is 2-for-5 this season, including a pinch-hit, two-run double in a 4-2 win at Houston on Sunday.