Brooke: They just got blown out 14-1 by the Dodgers, and now they’re flying straight to Milwaukee. This is not how you want to start a series against the first-place Brewers.
Tony: It’s a brutal schedule, Brooke. You lose that kind of game, you have to bounce back immediately or watch your season slip away in the standings.
Brooke: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, Cincinnati Reds Edition. I’m Brooke, and this is Tony. We are live from the heart of Ohio, ready to break down tonight’s matchup.
Tony: Hey everyone. It’s good to be here. The mood in Cincinnati has to be heavy after last night, but we’ve got three games ahead against the best team in baseball.
Brooke: Here is what we are tackling today: First, we look at the pitching probables for this Brewers series. Second, we dive into the offensive lineup and those lingering injuries. And third, we give our keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Tony: Let’s get right into it. Because if the Reds don’t fix some things offensively, this series could go south very fast.
Brooke: So, let’s talk about the mound. The Reds traveled to LA and watched Yoshinobu Yamamoto scatter three hits over seven innings with ten strikeouts. That was dominant. Now they face Milwaukee. Who do you think starts tonight?
Tony: With Hunter Greene on the 60-day IL and Kris Bubic also out there, the rotation is thin. I’m looking at Andrew Abbott or maybe Rhett Lowder. The Reds need someone who can eat innings without giving up the big inning.
Brooke: Right. And remember, the Brewers are sitting pretty at 91-56. They aren’t playing for anything but pride and positioning, but they are still elite. How does a starter like Abbott handle that lineup?
Tony: It’s all about location. If he’s up in the zone, Milwaukee will punish him. They have star power under control through 2028. You cannot afford to make mistakes early in the count against them.
Brooke: I agree. And looking at the bullpen, Tejay Antone and Nick Lodolo are available, but they’ve been stretched thin. The Reds’ record is 69-77, fifth in the NL Central. Every run matters more now.
Tony: Exactly. The margin for error is zero. If the starter goes six innings, you better hope the bullpen holds. But with guys like Edwin Diaz and Roki Sasaki on the IL too, depth is a concern.
Brooke: We’ll see who gets the nod. Stick with us, because the offense might be even bigger question mark than the pitching staff.
Brooke: Let’s talk about the bats. Last night, Elly De La Cruz had to carry the load, and it wasn’t enough. With Spencer Steer on the 10-day IL, who steps up in the middle of the order?
Tony: Elly is the engine. Without him, this team struggles. But we also have Ke’Bryan Hayes at third and Matt McLain at second. They need to provide consistency. Plate discipline is key here.
Brooke: And what about Tyler Stephenson behind the plate? He’s been solid, but with Dalton Rushing also injured, the catching situation is tight. Will Will Banfield see time?
Tony: Banfield is an option, but Stephenson provides that veteran presence. Against Milwaukee’s pitching, you want someone who can manage the game well. But offensively, we need more than just Elly.
Brooke: JJ Bleday and TJ Friedl in the outfield—they need to get on base. The Reds’ OBP has been a issue all year. Can they fix it against the Brewers?
Tony: It’s a tough ask. Milwaukee has strong defensive positioning and smart pitching. If the Reds don’t improve their launch angle and contact rates, they’ll just be making outs.
Brooke: That’s a lot of pressure on young players. Like we said yesterday, the injury list is long. Michael Toglia and Blake Dunn are both out too. It’s a rebuild in real-time.
Tony: Yeah, and it’s hard to build momentum when you’re missing key pieces. But sometimes these younger guys step up. Sal Stewart at first base could be a factor if he gets the call.
Brooke: Before we move on, I want to take a quick moment to talk about why we’re here. This show is free, with no ads and no paywall—listener support is what protects that. Please chip in to help keep the Reds coverage daily and independent via the link in the episode description.
Brooke: Okay, let’s get to our keys to the series. If the Reds want to win even one of these three games against Milwaukee, what needs to happen?
Tony: Number one: Limit the damage. Don’t give up three-run innings. Number two: Get Elly De La Cruz involved in every way possible. His speed creates havoc on the bases.
Brooke: Agreed. And number three: The bullpen needs to hold the lead. If the starter gives up runs, the relievers must shut the door. Tony Santillan has been reliable when healthy.
Tony: Right. And finally: Believe. Even at 69-77, you have to play like you’re in the hunt. The Dodgers beat them 14-1, but this is a new day against a different opponent.
Brooke: So, bold prediction time. Yesterday, we talked about the Dodgers series. Now, the Brewers. Who takes this three-game set?
Tony: I’m going with Milwaukee. They are the better team. I think they take two of three. The Reds are fighting for their future, but the Brewers are fighting for the division.
Brooke: I’ll disagree slightly. I think the Reds steal one game. Maybe they split two and lose one, or win one and lose two. But I think Elly De La Cruz forces a mistake and wins a ballgame.
Tony: Interesting take, Brooke. We’ll see if the Reds can pull it off. It’s going to be a tough series, but that’s baseball.
Brooke: Thanks for listening, Reds fans. We covered the pitching matchups, the injury concerns, and gave our predictions. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Tony: Go Reds. Let’s see some fight in Milwaukee.
Brooke: This is Brooke and Tony signing off. See you tomorrow!