Brooke: Seven unanswered runs. Three home runs in the same inning. The Cincinnati Reds just turned a corner against the Padres, and if you think this offense is done, you haven't been paying attention to who is actually swinging the bats.
Tony: It wasn't pretty at first, but that late-inning explosion changed the entire tone of the series. We are coming off a huge win, but now we have to pivot immediately to Milwaukee.
Brooke: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, your daily home for everything Reds baseball. I’m Brooke, and as always, I’m joined by Tony. Good morning, everyone. If you missed yesterday’s game, you saw something special.
Tony: Morning, Brooke. It was a chaotic night, but a necessary one. The team needed this momentum shift before we head into the next series.
Brooke: Here is what we are covering today. First, we break down the pitching matchup for tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Second, we look at the current injury report and how it impacts the lineup depth. And third, we give you our keys to winning this series and our bold prediction.
Tony: Sounds like a solid plan. Let’s get right into it. The Reds are sitting at 67-73, fifth in the NL Central, and they need every single win from here out.
Brooke: Let’s talk about tonight. The Milwaukee Brewers come to town on September 4th. It’s a crucial series for anyone trying to stay relevant in this division race. Who do you see starting on the mound for Cincinnati?
Tony: Well, with Graham Ashcraft on the 60-day IL and Lucas Giolito also out long-term, the rotation is thin. I expect Nick Lodolo to get the nod. He’s got the stuff to keep this competitive, even if his command has been spotty at times.
Brooke: That makes sense. You mentioned Andrew Abbott earlier in the week, but he’s likely still recovering or being managed carefully after that tough outing against San Diego. What about the bullpen? Are they going to lean on Tony Santillan early?
Tony: Santillan is the closer, so unless the game is close in the ninth, he stays put. But Tejay Antone and Brock Burke will be critical. The Brewers hit left-handed power well, so getting those right-handed relievers in early is key. Jason Adam is out with a 60-day IL stint, which hurts their setup options significantly.
Brooke: Right, losing Adam creates a vacuum in the middle innings. Do you think the Reds can survive a six-run deficit again? Or does the staff have enough juice to keep games tight?
Tony: They have to keep them tight. The Brewers’ lineup is disciplined. They don’t chase as much as the Padres did. If Lodolo falls behind in counts, it’s going to be a long night. I’d love to see Chase Burns or Brady Singer get some run if they are healthy, but the workload management is real.
Brooke: So, efficiency is the watchword. No five-pitch outs. Get ahead, attack the zone, and hope the defense holds up. That’s the strategy for tonight. Let’s move to the hitters.
Tony: Speaking of the offense, let’s address the elephant in the room: the injuries. Spencer Steer is on the 10-day IL. Ke’Bryan Hayes is also out. Michael Toglia is gone too. This roster is decimated.
Brooke: It’s brutal. And remember, Elly De La Cruz has been dealing with issues all season. How do you construct a lineup when half your regulars are checking in at the trainer's office?
Tony: You adapt. You use Juan Brito more. Remember, Brito hit his first home run last night. JJ Bleday and Héctor Rodríguez also went deep. That trio provided the spark. Bleday has been steady, and Brito is showing flashes of immense potential despite being a rookie.
Brooke: And what about Eugenio Suarez? He’s listed as day-to-day. Does that change how you set the cleanup spot?
Tony: If Suarez is out, you’re looking at Sal Stewart or Matt McLain to handle some of that pressure. But honestly, the platoon splits matter less when you’re playing guys who aren’t everyday starters. You just want someone who can make contact and not strike out looking.
Brooke: Makes sense. So, reliance on the bottom of the order to produce extra-base hits. That’s a tall order against Milwaukee. Did you see Jose Trevino’s clutch play last time? That bases-loaded single in the eighth was huge.
Tony: Trevino is a grinder. He doesn’t have huge power numbers, but he puts the ball in play. In short spurts, he’s valuable. But over a full series? You need more consistent production from the middle infielders. Ivan Johnson and Edwin Arroyo will see significant time.
Brooke: Ivan Johnson is a name we hear a lot. Is he ready to carry the load against a team like the Brewers? They play strong defense themselves.
Tony: Johnson has speed. That changes the game. If he gets on base, he forces errors. The Brewers aren’t perfect defensively. Capitalize on the mistakes, and that’s where the runs come from.
Brooke: Okay, so speed on the bases, timely hitting from Brito and Bleday, and hoping Suarez is available. That’s the offensive game plan. Now, let’s get to our final segment. Keys to the series.
Tony: Key number one: Pitching depth. With Ashcraft and Giolito out, you cannot afford any outings longer than six innings unless you have a shutout vibe. Every pitch matters.
Brooke: Agreed. And key number two? Take advantage of the Brewers' bullpen fatigue. They’ve been grinding through some tough series too. Can the Reds exploit late-inning matchups?
Tony: Absolutely. Look for the Reds to load the bases and force the manager’s hand. That’s how you score without relying on solo homers. The 7-3 win proved that resilience works.
Brooke: Now, predictions. Last week, Tony predicted the Padres would win 4-2 due to injuries. I said the Reds would win 5-4 based on Sal Stewart’s streak. Then last night, we saw the Reds rally to win 7-3. So, who is right this time?
Tony: Ouch. I’ll take the loss there. The injuries were worse than I anticipated, but the offense woke up. For tonight? I’m sticking with my analytical side. The Brewers are a better defensive team, and their pitching is deeper. I think they edge this series 2-1.
Brooke: I disagree. The momentum is with Cincinnati. They just beat a wild-card chasing team. I’m predicting the Reds steal this series, 2-1. The energy at Great American Ball Park is electric right now.
Tony: We’ll see. I respect the optimism, but baseball is a game of inches. One bad hop, one error, and that momentum shifts back. But hey, that’s why we listen.
Brooke: There you have it. A tough series ahead, but the Reds showed heart last night. Stick with us, subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Go Reds!