All-Star hopeful Brandon Drury battles his former team as the Reds face the Diamondbacks

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Brandon Drury
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Brandon Drury / Dylan Buell/GettyImages
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It was the week that wasn't for the Cincinnati Reds. Instead of finishing with an impressive 5-2 record last week, two ninth-inning bullpen meltdowns saddled the Reds (21-39) with a disappointing 3-4 mark. However, it's a new week filled with plenty of opportunities to crawl out of the National League Central basement, finally.

As play begins today, the Redlegs trail the slumping fourth-place Chicago Cubs by just 2.5 games in the NL Central. Since April 13th, Cincinnati has occupied last place in the division. But, securing wins away from Great American Ball Park has been a struggle for the Reds.

Cincinnati is 9-22 outside of the Queen City and has won only one road series to date. Nevertheless, revenge should be on the Reds' mind after blowing a two-run ninth-inning lead to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the final of a four-game set last week allowing the D-backs to escape Cincinnati with a series split.

Can the get a series victory on the road?

The Arizona Diamondbacks (29-33) return home following a 4-6 road trip. Currently, the Diamondbacks reside in fourth place in the NL West trailing the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by nine games.

After securing a winning May, the D-backs have limped to a 4-7 start in June. However, Arizona has hardly been an intimidating force at Chase Park. The Diamondbacks are just 14-16 when playing in their home park.

Over the past decade, the Reds hold a slim 15-13 advantage over their hosts at Chase Field. Still, the Reds are looking to capture their first season series victory over the D-backs since the 2014 campaign. Mike Leake and Ardolis Chapman combined to shutout Arizona on July 29, 2014, to secure the season series for Cincinnati. In other words, it's been a while.

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Diamondbacks

Reds starting pitcher Mike Minor vs. D-backs starting pitcher Merrill Kelly

Mike Minor (0-2 8.64 ERA) seeks his first victory as a member of the Cincinnati Reds as he faces Merrill Kelly (5-3 3.32 ERA) of the Arizona Diamondbacks. It's been a struggle for the Cincinnati left-hander since being activated from the injured list on June 3rd.

Making two starts in a Reds uniform, Minor has been shelled for eight runs, including five homers, in just 8.1 innings. His last outing against these same Diamondbacks was hardly inspiring. Tossing 4.1 frames, the southpaw surrendered three runs on three hits while also issuing three free passes.

Merrill Kelly dominated the Reds last week at GABP. Working six shutout innings, the right-hander yielded just one base hit. In three career starts versus the Reds, he's 2-0 with a sparkling 1.50 ERA in 18 frames.

Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle vs. D-backs starting pitcher Zach Davies

Tyler Mahle (2-5 5.07 ERA) toes the rubber Tuesday night as veteran Zach Davies (2-3 4.21 ERA) gets the call for Torey Lovullo's squad. The Cincinnati right-hander was brilliant versus the D-backs last week in the Queen City.

Allowing just one run on four hits in six innings of work, Mahle fanned 10 Diamondbacks. Additionally, the California native has stifled Arizona in their last two meetings. Hurling 12.2 frames, the 27-year-old has surrendered just one run on six hits while punching out an incredible 19 D-back hitters.

Zach Davies wasn't great in Cincinnati last week, but he did provide the Diamondbacks with a solid outing. Tossing six innings, the 29-year-old right-hander limited the Reds to three runs on six hits. Brandon Drury and TJ Friedl each picked up a couple of base hits off Davies in the D-backs' eventual 5-3 victory.

Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo vs. D-backs starting pitcher Zac Gallen

Wednesday's matinee series finale features Luis Castillo (2-4 3.23 ERA) battling Arizona's Zac Gallen (4-2 2.95 ERA). La Piedra is looking to bounce back after taking the loss in his last two starting assignments.

If Castillo is to return to the winner's circle, I'm sure he's hoping Pavin Smith is given the day off for the Diamondbacks. The left-handed-hitting slugger is 3-for-3 lifetime versus Castillo. In his career, the right-hander is 2-4 with a 4.05 ERA in seven career starts versus the D-backs.

Fellow right-hander Zac Gallen is seeking his first career victory against the Reds. Cincinnati's had no problems reaching base versus the 26-year-old in their two meetings. In 11.2 innings, the Reds have reached base 17 times when facing the University of North Carolina alum.

It should be a happy homecoming for Brandon Drury when he arrives at Chase Field this week. The former Diamondback has posted a sizzling .356/.387/.576 slash line with four round-trippers over his last 15 games. In addition, he's currently the proud owner of an 11-game hitting streak.

Acquired by Arizona in a January 2013 trade with the Atlanta Braves, Drury made his MLB debut in 2015 and slashed .271/.319/.448 with 31 homers over three seasons in the desert.

Following stops in New York, with both the Mets and Yankees, as well as Toronto, the right-handed-hitting infielder has revitalized his career in Cincinnati. With the Tyler Stephenson out of action for four-to-six, there's an outside chance that Drury is named to represent the Reds at the All-Star Game.

Due to a variety of injuries to Jonathan India, Mike Moustakas, and Joey Votto, Drury has found himself as an everyday presence in David Bell's lineup card. Needless to say, the eight-year MLB veteran has delivered.

The Oregon native leads the Reds with 11 homers and is third on the club with 30 RBIs. Additionally, his 123 OPS+ paces the Redlegs as well. What the future holds for Drury, however, remains murky.

Moustakas could be activated as soon as today while India could rejoin the team once they return to Cincinnati following the D-backs series. Meanwhile, Max Schrock and Donovan Solano could end their rehab stints at Triple-A Louisville before the end of the month. Regardless of how everything plays out, Drury has proven to be an asset when called upon.

Prediction: Reds vs. D-backs

It's gonna happen, Reds Country. For the first time since 2014, the Reds are going to take a season series from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Look for the Cincinnati Reds to take two of three at Chase Field before returning home to GABP for a challenging homestand versus NL Central rival, the Milwaukee Brewers and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

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