Brooke: Twenty to nothing. That’s not a typo. That’s not a dream. That is the score from yesterday night in Milwaukee, where the Brewers didn’t just beat the Reds, they dismantled them with such velocity and power that it felt like watching a natural disaster unfold on a baseball diamond.
Tony: It was brutal, Brooke. Four home runs by Garrett Mitchell alone. A grand slam. It wasn’t just a loss; it was a statement from Milwaukee about who they are heading into October.
Brooke: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Brooke, and this is your daily deep dive into the Cincinnati Reds. Tony, I am still shaking my head. We talked about these exact vulnerabilities last night, and then BAM—twenty runs against us.
Tony: And yet, here we are. The series isn’t over. In fact, Game One of this three-game set is happening tonight at American Family Field. The question isn’t whether we’re disappointed; it’s how do you respond when the ceiling literally falls off?
Brooke: Exactly. So for tonight’s show, we are breaking down the pitching matchup for Game One, looking at who can actually stop Chourio and company, and figuring out what this depleted Reds roster needs to survive the next forty-eight hours. Let’s get into it.
Brooke: Let’s start with the mound. After that 20-0 drubbing, who is starting tonight? And be honest, does anyone trust the current rotation depth right now?
Tony: It’s Andrew Abbott. He’s been one of the few consistent arms left standing. But look, the injury list is staggering. Hunter Greene, Brandon Woodruff, Grant Anderson, Bryse Wilson—all out. Spencer Steer is on the IL too. So Abbott is essentially carrying the emotional weight of the franchise right now.
Brooke: I know, it’s painful. But Abbott has shown he can go deep into games. How does he match up against this Milwaukee lineup that just torched everyone?
Tony: The key is his changeup and his ability to keep the ball in the park. Milwaukee hits hard. They don’t just make contact; they elevate the ball. If Abbott misses his spots early, he’s going to pay. You saw what happened to the starter yesterday.
Brooke: Right. And Milwaukee isn’t just hitting well; they have the best record in the majors at 92-56. They clinched their playoff spot yesterday. Do they have anything to prove?
Tony: They might have something to prove to themselves. Sometimes after a blowout win, teams get complacent. Or conversely, they get loose and give up runs. But generally, when you’re the number one seed, you want to close out the regular season strong. They’ll be playing for pride and momentum.
Brooke: So if Abbott can get through five innings, that’s a win for Cincinnati? Because let’s be real, getting to the sixth is an achievement right now.
Tony: Absolutely. If he pitches to contact and keeps the pitch count manageable, the Reds have a chance. But the bullpen... that’s the scary part. Who are you calling on after Abbott?
Brooke: That leads perfectly into our next segment. Stick with us—we’re taking a closer look at the hitters and the bullpen questions hanging over this team.
Brooke: We’re back. Tony, let’s talk offense. Elly De La Cruz is still there. Ke’Bryan Hayes. Matt McLain. Who do you think has the best shot to produce tonight?
Tony: Elly is always a threat because of his speed and raw power. But I’m more interested in TJ Friedl. He’s been steady. He doesn’t strike out as much. Against a team like Milwaukee that attacks the zone aggressively, Friedl’s plate discipline could be crucial.
Brooke: Friedl is a good call. He’s not flashy, but he gets on base. And without Steer, who else is in the mix? JJ Bleday?
Tony: Bleday has power. Sal Stewart at first base too. But the issue is platoon splits. Milwaukee’s starters usually have strong splits against left-handed hitters. If the Reds can’t generate right-handed production, they’re going to struggle to string together rallies.
Brooke: Right. And speaking of struggles, let’s address the elephant in the room: the injuries. We listed them earlier, but the sheer volume is overwhelming. How does this affect the day-to-day strategy?
Tony: It forces managers to be creative. You’re pulling guys from the minors, adjusting defensive positions. You mentioned Hunter Greene being out—that’s a huge loss for future rotations, but also for morale. When your ace is gone, everyone feels it.
Brooke: It’s tough for the fans, too. We’ve watched this team fight through so much adversity all year. 69-78 record. Fifth in the NL Central. Is there any positivity to take away from this series?
Tony: Young players stepping up. Luis Mey, Carlos Jorge, Dane Myers—they’re getting looks. If they can perform under pressure against a top-tier team, that’s data for the front office moving forward. It’s about development at this point.
Brooke: If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, knowing exactly which young prospects are making an impact helps you stay connected to the team’s future. A small tip via the link in the episode description keeps this free content coming every single day. Thanks for supporting us!
Brooke: Okay, final segment. Keys to the series. What does Cincinnati need to do to steal a game in Milwaukee? We predicted a split last time, but after yesterday... things look different.
Tony: They need to play error-free defense. One mistake turns into two runs against this lineup. And they need to score early. If they trail by three or more, it’s a mountain to climb. Get on the board in the first inning.
Brooke: Agreed. Early offense. And Tony, what’s your bold prediction for tonight’s opener?
Tony: I’m sticking with my previous stance. I think Milwaukee wins two of three. But for tonight? I’ll say the Reds manage to hold on for a low-scoring victory. Maybe 4-3. Something happens to break the trend.
Brooke: A 4-3 Reds win? I love it. I’m going to go with that too. I think Abbott pitches a gem and the bullpen holds the line. Let’s see if we can shock the world again.
Tony: Don’t hold your breath, Brooke. But hey, hope is alive. Enjoy the game tonight, Reds Nation.
Brooke: Thanks for listening to the Beatline! If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Reds fan. Go Reds!