Bodog Beat

Prince Fielder hopes his Home Run Derby swing is ready versus the Reds

Thursday at home against the Milwaukee Brewers, Homer Bailey will be on the mound for the Cincinnati Reds.

That's quite an upgrade for the 23-year-old righthander who was 0-6 with a 7.93 ERA in eight starts last year and a bad start in an early call-up this year.

Since his second call-up, the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2004 has been pretty good in his three starts, although he is only 1-0. But his best two starts, his last two, were no-decisions; the bullpen blew a 3-0 lead in one, and he left with the game tied 2-2 in the other.

The Reds start the second half with a record of 42-45, but are only 4-1/2 games off the pace.

The Brewers went into the break on a cold streak. In their last three series, the Brewers lost three of four to the Cubs, two of three to the Cardinals, and two of three to the Dodgers.

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