With the late game, the preview is early and the first pitch thread goes on at 10:15 EDT.

The Reds are the latest game on today's schedule, later by 5 minutes than Mets-Dodgers and BoSox-Mariners. The Reds are playing almost 34 hours later than the start of yesterday's game, which is like having a half off-day. That could be good for a bullpen that was nearly emptied yesterday, but it's probably more than undercut by traveling and playing late. And them winding roads they got out West.

West Coast trips lead to knee-jerk dread, but since 2010 there hasn't been much reason to fear them more than anything else. Or the Giants really, despite how far out things can get.

Here are the Reds' records in various West Coast situations over the last three seasons:

Great pitching match-up tonight, pitting two starters could the mound for the NL in the All Star Game. If not for several other Giants' starters.

Cueto has been averaging 8.9 K/9 in June, while walking just 3 batters over 30.2 innings. He has not allowed more than an earned run in each of his last 3 starts.

LINEUPS

REDS (41-33)

Zack Cozart (R) SS
Drew Stubbs (R) CF
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
Jay Bruce (L) RF
Scott Rolen (R) 3B
Todd Frazier (R) LF
Ryan Hanigan (R) C
Johnny Cueto (R) P

GIANTS (43-33)

Gregor Blanco (L) RF
Ryan Theriot (R) 2B
Melky Cabrera (S) LF
Buster Posey (R) C
Angel Pagan (S) CF
Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
Brandon Belt (L) 1B
Brandon Crawford (L) SS
Madison Bumgarner (R) P

Bullpen notes:

• The bullpen got a thorough workout after Homer Bailey's Sabbath melt-down, but I'd say only Simon and Arredondo are truly unavailable.