The most consistent aspect of Matthew Liberatore's performance in recent months has been inconsistency.

Liberatore starts Friday at 5:40 p.m. in the series opener as the Cardinals face the Reds in Cincinnati.

After an emergent first two months of the season, Liberatore has had an up-and-down three months since. With that in mind, here are three keys Friday to a more up than down outing for Liberatore.

No free bases

In his last outing, Liberatore gave up four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, though only one of those runs scored while Liberatore was in the game. He was lifted when he walked the bases loaded. Those three walks are the most in a game in his last seven starts.

Compounding that problem, he also permitted a career-worst four stolen bases.

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