--RHP Johnny Cueto was 0-3 in four starts against the Astros last year, and the Reds were 3-12. Cueto gets the first chance to turn that around when he opens a four-game series Friday in Minute Maid Park against the Astros.
--1B Joey Votto, second in NL Rookie of the Year voting last year, was a notoriously slow starter during his minor league career and last year as a rookie, but he is hitting .387 with hits in seven of his eight games with a pair of three-run homers as the team's No. 3 hitter. "Votto's fast start is big for us, and he is going to be a star in this league for a long time," manager Dusty Baker said. --RHP David Weathers, 39, became the 20th player in major league history to pitch in 900 games when he pitched against the Brewers on Tuesday night. Weathers remains the team's setup man for closer Francisco Cordero.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Quality starts the first time through the rotation, a stretch that ended April 12 when RHP Aaron Harang threw a shutout.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "What I'm telling my team right now is the title of John Wooden's book, 'Be Quick and Don't Hurry.'" -- Manager Dusty Baker.
