PREVIEW: Reds at Yankees

NEW YORK (Interstat) — The Cincinnati Reds aim to halt a two-game skid Friday night when they open a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium II. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with a forecast of 83 degrees and clouds.

Right-hander Rhett Lowder (3-3) is scheduled to start for Cincinnati (35-38), which dropped a 9-1 decision to the New York Mets on Wednesday. The Yankees (45-27) are coming off a 10-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday and have won nine of their last 10 games.

The Yankees have been installed as -1.5 run-line favorites. The over/under is 9 runs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-4 Yankees victory.

Players to watch

Reds reliever Chris Paddack has struggled in five recent appearances, all losses. His most recent outing Wednesday against the Mets: 4 1/3 innings, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 strikeouts in a 9-1 defeat. Over his last five games, Paddack has allowed 12 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings with 11 strikeouts.

Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has been hot at the plate. Over his last 10 games, Goldschmidt is 14-for-39 (.359) with five home runs and 13 RBI. In Wednesday’s win over the White Sox, Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBI.

Recent results

Cincinnati has lost six of its last seven games. The Reds scored 12 runs in a win over the Mets on Monday, but managed just four runs in their last two games combined.

New York has won 10 of its last 12. The Yankees have scored at least six runs in eight of those victories. Cody Bellinger was 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI on Wednesday. Starter Carlos Rodón allowed three earned runs over five innings with seven strikeouts.

Up next

The teams continue the series Saturday and Sunday. The Reds then return home for a three-game set against Milwaukee beginning Monday. The Yankees travel to Detroit for a three-game series starting Monday.