Johnny Cueto has pitched just 18.2 innings in his last four starts, allowing a total of 14 earned runs. Though I say this with all the necessary disclaimers after Homer's start last night, the good news is: he's facing the Pirates again. His best outing of those four was his last - and the only in which he did not allow a HR - against this same Pittsburgh team. HIs earlier meeting with the Pirates this season was a Bailey-esque complete game.

Brad Lincoln, 4th overall pick in the 2006 draft, makes just the 2nd start of his major league career (he made a solid, though not dominating spot start against the Marlins in mid-May). He's pitched in relief over the last two seasons, but is staging something of a coming-out party in his third. Time to crash the party and put out some cigarettes in the cake.

Lincoln has the kind of strikeout stuff that could stifle a team that's 5th in the league in K rate and struck out 15 times last night (psst: it's the Reds), but he's also given up his share of flies/liners/fliners this season with a flukishly low HR/FB rate. Left-handed batters have hit him especially well, both to the pull or opposite field side.

So his should be fertile ground for Bruce and Votto at least, but it also underscores the desperate need for another left-handed bat that could be plugged into the lineup in games like this or at least pinch-hit with some vigor.

LINEUPS

Reds (30-24)

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

Pirates (28-26)

Alex Presley (L) LF
Neil Walker (S) 2B
Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
Garrett Jones (L) RF
Matt Hague (R) 1B
Casey McGehee (R) 3B
Rod Barajas (R) C
Clint Barmes (R) SS
Brad Lincoln (L) P

Bullpen notes:

• Chapman, Ondrusek and LeCure are available. Marshall and Simon could go in an emergency. Please let it not come to that