Brooke: Elly De La Cruz just got crushed by a 100-mile-an-hour fastball, the Dodgers scored fourteen runs, and now we are heading to Milwaukee with our tails between our legs. But here is the thing about baseball: you do not get to stay down for long. Tonight, we break down exactly how the Reds try to salvage their season against the Brewers.
Tony: It is a brutal week for Cincinnati. They go into a 69-77 hole in the NL Central, coming off a 14-1 beating in Los Angeles. The question is not if they can win one game; it is whether they can find any semblance of identity against a Brewers team that has been playing with house money all summer.
Brooke: That is right. I am Brooke, and this is the Beatline Podcast Network. Tony is here to help us make sense of the mess. We have three things today: first, looking at the pitching matchup for tomorrow night's opener in Milwaukee; second, dissecting the injury report and what it means for the lineup; and third, giving you our bold prediction for the series outcome.
Tony: And remember, we predicted a split earlier in this series against LA, but the reality was a sweep. So tonight, we are adjusting our lens. The Reds need to stop looking at the scoreboard and start looking at the pitcher on the mound.
Brooke: Let’s dive straight into Segment One: The Series and the Pitching Probables. It is September 11th, and the Reds travel to Miller Park to face the Brewers. Last night, they got shelled by the Dodgers 14-1. That is embarrassing. Who starts for Cincinnati?
Tony: Based on the rotation order, it looks like Andrew Abbott or Nick Lodolo could be in the mix, but honestly, the bullpen might see more action than usual because of the short rest from yesterday's disaster. Hunter Greene is out for the year on the 60-day IL, so every arm counts. The Brewers have been solid at home, and they will look to exploit any fatigue in the Reds' staff.
Brooke: So, no Greene. No Kris Bubic. No Spencer Steer. The depth chart is getting thin. How does the Reds' offense, which managed only one run yesterday, respond to a Brewers team that is hungry for a playoff push?
Tony: Well, Brooke, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Yesterday, Teoscar Hernández hit a three-run homer against the Reds, and Emmet Sheehan struck out ten batters. The Dodgers were hitting .350 with runners in scoring position. If the Reds don’t fix their plate discipline, they are going to get blown out again in Milwaukee.
Brooke: Exactly. And look, I know Elly De La Cruz has been electric all season, but even he struggled against Skubal’s stuff. The Brewers have a strong pitching core too. Do you think the Reds can keep it close, or is another blowout inevitable?
Tony: I think they can keep it close if they rely on speed and contact. The Reds have guys like TJ Friedl and Carlos Jorge who can put the ball in play. But against a quality starter, you need patience. And after yesterday’s 14-1 loss, confidence is low. That is the hardest thing to rebuild in baseball.
Brooke: Right. And speaking of confidence, let’s look at the injuries. We mentioned Hunter Greene is out, but what about Spencer Steer? He’s on the 10-day IL. How much does his absence hurt the middle of the order?
Tony: Steer provides power and on-base percentage. Without him, the pressure falls entirely on Eugenio Suárez and Matt McLain. The Reds’ OBP has dipped significantly without Steer’s presence. It forces the lineup to be more aggressive, which leads to more strikeouts. It’s a vicious cycle.
Brooke: Okay, so we’ve covered the pitching disparity and the injury crisis. Before we move on to the hitters, I want to take a quick breath. Our show is made possible by listeners like you. A small contribution helps cover the daily research, the editing, and keeps the feed running every single day. Please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. It really helps us keep this free for everyone.
Tony: Thanks, Brooke. Now, let’s get into the meat of the offense. With Steer out, who steps up? JJ Bleday has been consistent, but he needs help. Sal Stewart at first base has been quiet lately. Is there anyone in this lineup who can change the momentum?
Brooke: I think Elly De La Cruz is the only guy who can single-handedly shift the narrative. Even if he doesn’t get a hit, his presence on the bases forces pitchers to throw harder. But can he handle the Brewers’ pitching staff? They have some tough arms.
Tony: The Brewers have decent pitching, but they are not the Dodgers. The key here is platoon splits. If the Brewers start a lefty, De La Cruz might struggle. But if it’s a righty, he can punish fastballs. The Reds need to identify those matchups early and adjust their lineup accordingly.
Brooke: That makes sense. What about the bullpen? With Tony Santillan and Tejay Antone, do they have enough arms to close out games if the starters falter? Or will they be overused again?
Tony: Santillan is reliable, but Antone has been inconsistent. The Reds also have Graham Ashcraft and Brock Burke in the minors. If the starters go deep into games, the bullpen will be taxed. Yesterday, they had no answer for the Dodgers’ offense. Today, they need to pitch smarter, not just harder.
Brooke: Smart pitching. That’s the theme. So, if the Reds can’t get big hits, they need to minimize damage. How do you see the series playing out? Can they avoid another sweep?
Tony: I think they’ll win one game. Maybe two. The Brewers are good, but they are not invincible. The Reds have nothing to lose. Sometimes, that’s the best motivation. But they need to execute defensively. You cannot afford errors like we saw in LA.
Brooke: Agreed. Defense wins championships, even in September. Let’s move to Segment Three: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction. What is the one thing the Reds must do to win this series?
Tony: They must limit walks. The Dodgers capitalized on Reds’ mistakes. Against Milwaukee, walking batters will lead to rallies the Reds cannot overcome. Keep the count tight, attack the zone, and force the Brewers to earn their runs.
Brooke: Limit walks. Simple advice, hard to execute under pressure. Okay, Tony, give me your bold prediction. The Dodgers took the last series. Will the Reds bounce back in Milwaukee?
Tony: I’m predicting a split. The Reds win one, lose one. Elly De La Cruz gets a big hit in Game One, but the bullpen falters in Game Two. It’s not a playoff run, but it’s a step in the right direction for development.
Brooke: A split. Respectable. I’m going to go with the same. The Reds need to show resilience. If they can take one game, it boosts morale for next season. Let’s recap: Pitching is key, defense must improve, and Elly De La Cruz is the spark. Thanks for listening!