Tonight's Matchup: Brewers (Marcum) at Reds (Leake)

It's the rubber match of the series against the Reds. Considering how well the Crew has played in Cinci over the last couple seasons, I'm just happy we can call this game the rubber match.

Shaun Marcum (6-2, 2.80 ERA, 2.87 FIP) will lead the Crew into battle against the Redlegs. In his last time out Marcum was cruising along against the Giants. Until he reached the seventh inning. Then he allowed a double, single and a walk before giving up a grand slam to Brandon Crawford, who was making his major league debut. He wasn't able to record a out in the seventh inning, leaving him with 5 ER on the night.

If that memory wasn't nice enough, I have another fun one for you. 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 7 Ks. That was the line from Marcum's last start against the Reds, which came in his Brewers debut. Of course other than those two starts, Marcum has been pretty outstanding. In his 9 other starts this season, he has never failed to go at least 6 innings and given up more than 2 runs only twice. His ERA is 2.10 over that stretch and he is holding opposing batters to a .213 BA. That one start is Marcum's only start in his career against Cincinnati, although two Reds have faced him at least 10 times.

Cincinnati's favorite kleptomaniac, Mike Leake (4-2, 5.10 ERA, 4.07 FIP) will be on the mound for the Reds tonights. It's been an up and down season for Leake so far this year. And when I say "up and down," I'm refering to his status on the major league roster. Leake's last start was his first after a quick trip to AAA Louisville, where he made one start and allowed 8 ER in 7.1 innings. Leake was able to limit the Braves to just 1 run over 6 innings, but it wasn't easy. He allowed at least 2 baserunners in 4 for his 6 innings. He only has one career start against the Brewers. He held the Crew to only 2 runs in 7 innings while striking out 6. Obviously, no Brewer has faced Leake more than 10 times.

Tonight's lineups

In the bullpen...
Marco Estrada pitched 1 inning (14 pitches) yesterday.
Kameron Loe pitched 1 inning (8 pitches) yesterday.
John Axford pitched 1 inning (28 pitches) yesterday.
Sergio Mitre pitched 2 innings (32 pitches) Monday.
Tim Dillard pitched 1 inning (24 pitches) Monday.
LaTroy Hawkins pitched 1 inning (16 pitches) Sunday.
Mike McClendon pitched 2 innings (35 pitches) Friday.

Tonight's weather:
Al Roker is telling me that it's going to be a lovely night for baseball. Gametime temps in the low 80's and upper 70's. Chance of precipitation at about 10%. Winds from the WNW at about 6-7 MPH.