[Redacted picture of exasperated Richard Schiff]

We are getting dangerously close to baby in the basket territory here, folks. After a nice six-game win streak, the Reds started playing like weird wusses and have now dropped four in a row. There were plenty of chances to get the win last night, but they ended up taking yet another one-run loss. Tasked with stopping the skid today is staff ace Johnny Cueto. Cuetes turned in a gutsy 7-inning, 1-run performance last Sunday against the Mets, while struggling with an upset tummy. The Twins will send southpaw Brian Duensing to the mound in his first start of the year after throwing 34 innings in relief so far this season. Duensing will probably be on a short leash today, as he has only thrown more than 3 innings in one appearance this year (on 5/9), and hasn't gone 2 full innings since 6/2. Expect Gardy to lean heavily on the bullpen today. All in all, this looks like a pretty favorable matchup for the Redlegs, as their righty-heavy lineup has been solid against LHP this year, OPS'ing almost .100 points higher against lefties than righties. It will be a full house at GABP, with the 2012 Reds Hall of Fame Class being honored in a pre-game ceremony. Also worth noting, the Pirates won again last night, bringing them a game closer to the Reds, who now hold a precarious one-game lead going into the action today. Time to get a new win streak started.

I need to wrap this up and head down to the ball orchard. Lineups after the jump.

Reds:

Cozart SS

Heisey CF

Votto 1B

Phillips 2B

Bruce RF

Rolen 3B

Frazier LF

Hanigan C

Cueto P

Twins:

Span CF

Revere RF

Mauer 1B

Willingham LF

Plouffe 3B

Doumit C

Dozier SS

Carrol 2B

Duensing P