The set-up: The Cincinnati Reds opened the season by losing 15 of their first 18 games but they currently find themselves as the hottest team in the majors with six straight wins. The Reds won just eight of their first 35 games, a start that cost manager Bryan Price his job, but they have been energized by the acquisition of Matt Harvey from the New York Mets, winning their last six games. The most recent four wins came in a shocking road sweep of the defending National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with a suddenly rejuvenated Reds pitching staff allowing a total of nine runs in the four games. Fresh off that four-game sweep, the Reds look to maintain their momentum Monday when they begin a three-game series against the host San Francisco Giants. San Francisco ended a six-game losing streak with a 5-0 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday, capping a 10-game road trip at 4-6.
"We needed that in the worst way," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of the trip-ending win. "I said it would take a really good pitching effort to get us out of this. Give (Holland) credit. He took over and did a great job." The good news for the Giants is, they have won their last three home series.

The pitching matchup: Sal Romano (2-3, 3.83 ERA) gets the call for the Reds and Chris Stratton (3-3, 4.60 ERA). Romano posted a 4.65 ERA in six April starts but has been a key part of the Reds' recent surge, going 1-0 and allowing a total of two runs in his last two outings across 11 1/3 innings. He has a 26-to-17 KW ratio on the season but has not pitched past the sixth inning in any of his eight starts. Romano is set to make his 25th major-league start and first against San Francisco. In contrast, Stratton was one of the Giants' biggest surprises early on (2.32 ERA in five starts / Giants went 4-1)in April, but he turned in another rough outing Wednesday and took the loss after allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings against Philadelphia. The 27-year-old has given up four HRs in his last three trips to the mound, after not allowing a homer in six consecutive turns dating back to last season. The Giants are 5-3 in his starts this season but have been outscored 35-9 in the three losses.

The pick: Romano has never faced the Giants and Stratton has never faced the Reds (advantage, push). Cincy is the hotter team and the Reds are 29-19 against the Giants over the last seven seasons. However, I did note that the Giants have won their last three home series and I'm still far from sold on the Reds and their "mini-run!" Make the Giants an 8* play.