This is an 8* play on HOUSTON

These teams are wrapping up a three-game series Wednesday afternoon. Houston's 1st visit to Great American Ballpark since 2012 has not gone as expected as they've dropped the first two games. But the depth advantage the Astros have in their starting rotation comes full force here as they'll send out Gerrit Cole while the Reds are stuck with Tyler Mahle. Cole has a sub-1.00 WHIP on the year as Houston has won the last four times he's pitched. All four starts saw him go at least six innings and allow two earned runs or fewer. He also has 40 strikeouts in 25 innings. Mahle hasn't made it past the fifth in any of his last four starts and he allowed four runs just his last time out. He's allowed 16 runs total in the four starts. What's most impressive about Houston pitching is that it has held opponents to a .203 batting average on the road. The Astros are 6-1 in Cole's last seven interleague starts and 16-3 his last 19 starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Reds are 1-8 in Mahle's last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Play on HOUSTON

AAA