9:40 PM ET, August 19, 2010Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
After Wednesday's bullpen implosion pushed the relief corps' ERA to a major league-worst 6.29, the Diamondbacks (47-74) would appreciate a strong start from Joe Saunders (1-2, 3.86 ERA). The left-hander gave up four runs and 10 hits over six innings in a 4-2 loss at Washington on Friday.
Saunders has never faced Cincinnati.
The Reds give the ball to Travis Wood (3-1, 2.65), who was sent to Triple-A Louisville on Aug. 9, a day after winning his third straight start. The move was designed to keep the rookie left-hander's innings down, and he pitched just two innings during his stop in the minors.
He held the Cubs hitless into the sixth Aug. 8, ultimately allowing four runs over 6 1/3 innings of an 11-4 win. All of Wood's victories have come on the road, where he has thrown 45 of his 51 major league innings.
"He's tough," Cubs second baseman Jeff Baker said. "We saw his numbers coming in. He throws strikes and is aggressive and pitches with a lot of confidence."
The Diamondbacks have batted .207 against lefties in their last 11 games. Arizona is 14-72 when it fails to score at least six runs.