On-base machine Jake Fraley and the Reds welcome the Phillies to Great American Ball Park

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Phillies

Cincinnati Reds starter Mike Minor vs. Philadelphia Phillies starter Noah Syndergaard

Mike Minor (1-9 6.24 ERA) gets the call in tonight's opener opposing long-time Cincinnati Reds' nemesis Noah Syndergaard (6-8 3.96 ERA) of the Philadelphia Phillies. How long has it been since Minor has defeated the Phils? It was August 31, 2012, to be exact.

To be honest, the Cincinnati southpaw hasn't been defeating anyone of late. Since arriving in the Queen City following a trade in Spring Training from the Kansas City Royals, the Reds are an abysmal 1-11 when the 34-year-old Minor is handed the starting assignment.

If history is any indication, the Redlegs will have their hands full tonight against Noah Syndergaard. In his last five starts versus the Reds, Thor is unbeaten in four decisions with an impressive 2.24 ERA while compiling 43 K's in 34.2 innings.

If Reds manager David Bell is looking to rest Joey Votto, tonight would be an excellent opportunity. Votto is 2-for-15 lifetime with seven punch outs against the Phillies right-hander.

Cincinnati Reds starter T.J. Zeuch vs. Philadelphia Phillies starter Kyle Gibson

Toeing the rubber Tuesday night will be T.J. Zeuch (0-1 13.50 ERA) while Kyle Gibson (7-5 4.29 ERA) receives the call for Rob Thomson's club. Reds Country can only hope Zeuch's outing tomorrow will be better than his Redlegs debut.

Tossing four frames versus the New York Mets last week, the Cincinnati right-hander was torched for six runs on six hits. The 26-year-old former first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2016 draft, will be making just his ninth start in 15 big league appearances.

Cincinnati may be facing Kyle Gibson at perhaps the wrong time. In his last 20 innings of work, the Phillies right-hander has limited opponents to five runs on just 12 base hits. The 34-year-old 10-year veteran will be making his first career start versus the Reds.

Cincinnati Reds starter Nick Lodolo vs. Philadelphia Phillies starter Ranger Suarez

Wednesday's matinee series finale will feature Nick Lodolo (3-4 4.72 ERA) battling Ranger Suarez (8-5 3.52 ERA) for the visitors. To say Lodolo needs a solid start is an understatement.

In his last two outings, the Cincinnati southpaw has been roughed up for seven runs in only 9.1 innings while yielding 11 hits, eight free passes, and two round-trippers. What's equally as concerning is that Lodolo has failed to complete five frames in each of those starts.

Since being moved into the starting rotation, Ranger Suarez has been a revelation. The 26-year-old Venezuelan is 12-8 with a 3.02 ERA in 35 career starts with 32 of those outings occurring over the past two seasons.

Expect David Bell to stack his lineup with right-handed bats against the Phils' left-hander. Righties are slashing .266/.338/.413 with nine homers versus the five-year veteran this season.