Cincinnati Reds: Reds vs. Colorado Rockies Series Preview and Notes

The Cincinnati Reds (35-22, second in NL Central) are set to take on the Colorado Rockies (30-27, second in NL West) in a three-game series starting on Monday at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

The Reds, which are tied for the third best record in the Majors, continue to try to keep pace with the NL Central leading St. Louis Cardinals, which have the best record in the Majors at 37-19.

Here's a look at Cincinnati's scheduled starting pitchers for the series.

Pitchers

Monday, June 3 at 7:10 p.m. ET

RHP Bronson Arroyo (5-5, 3.75 ERA) is 2-1 in his last three starts with a 3.72 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 19 and one-third innings. He lost his latest start on Wednesday vs. the Cleveland Indians when gave up eight hits, including two home runs, and five earned runs in five and two-thirds innings. 

Tuesday, June 4 at 7:10 p.m. ET

RHP Homer Bailey (3-4, 3.84 ERA) is 1-1 in his last three starts with a 4.86 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 16 and two-thirds innings. He lost his latest start on Thursday vs. the Indians when he gave up seven hits and seven earned runs while striking out three in three and two-thirds innings.

Wednesday, June 5 at 7:10 p.m. ET

UPDATE: Wednesday, June 5 at 5:21 p.m. ET by Kyle Kauffung

As reported by John Fay, Reds beat writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer, RHP Johnny Cueto has been placed back on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder.

RHP Pedro Villarreal is set to make the start tonight. 

---End of update---

RHP Johnny Cueto (3-0, 2.17 ERA) had his best start since coming off the disabled list on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He only allowed one hit and struck out six in eight innings of work. He is 2-0 in his last three starts with a 1.80 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 20 innings.

Things to Watch on Offense

Joey Votto leads the Majors in on base percentage (.460), runs scored (46) and walks (47). He has the seventh best batting average (.336) and is seventh in hits with 72. He has also hit 10 home runs, which is tied for the team lead.

Shin-Soo Choo is second in the Majors in walks (41), third in on base percentage (.441), and sixth in runs scored (42). Choo is the other member of the Reds that has hit 10 home runs.

Jay Bruce has the fourth most strikeouts in the Majors with 70 but is also fourth in doubles with 18 and he has the second most RBIs on the Reds with 36.

Brandon Phillips might miss the series. He didn’t play in Sunday’s game against the Pirates because of a left forearm contusion which was the result of being hit by a pitch in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Pittsburgh. (h/t Mark Sheldon, MLB.com) Here’s what Mark Sheldon reported for MLB.com:

“X-rays on Phillips' arm were negative, but he was wearing a wrap in the clubhouse on Sunday morning. Although available to pinch-run, according to manager Dusty Baker, he might miss the next series vs. the Rockies in Cincinnati.”

All stats from MLB.com and ESPN.com.

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