N.L. division series glance: Reds vs. Giants

Tonight’s Game 1: Cincinnati (Cueto 19-9, 2.78 ERA, 170 K) at San Francisco (Cain 16-5, 2.79 ERA, 193 K), 6:37 p.m. ( TV: TBS)

This season: The Reds won two of three from the Giants at Great American Ball Park from April 24-26. The teams split a four-game series in San Francisco from June 28 to July 1. Three of the seven games were decided by one run.

Reds’ big picture: Won the N.L. Central ahead of schedule in 2010 with a young lineup, but got swept in the playoffs by Philadelphia. Cincinnati kept the roster nearly intact for 2011 and lost ground amidst a slew of injuries. The front office changed strategy last offseason and dealt a package of players to San Diego for ace Mat Latos, and gave slugger Joey Votto a 10-year contract extension worth $225 million. All five starting pitchers made it through the season without injury, a franchise first.

Giants’ big picture: In April, the Giants lost closer Brian Wilson to a season-ending injury. In August, they lost All-Star OF Melky Cabrera to a 50-game PED suspension. MVP candidate Buster Posey, who missed most of 2011 after serious injuries, returned every bit the player he was during his 2010 N.L. Rookie of the Year campaign. … Manager Bruce Bochy was spot-on mixing and matching in the bullpen all year, and the front office bolstered the offense with trades for IF Marco Scutaro and OF Hunter Pence.