Whitney: Jackson Chourio just went four-for-four against the Cubs, and now we are flying down to Cincinnati for a critical NL Central clash. The Brewers are sitting at 87-54, holding first place, but they need to win this series to keep the pressure on. Tonight, we break down the pitching matchup, the injury report that is still haunting this roster, and exactly how Milwaukee plans to exploit the Reds' defense.
Terry: It’s going to be a tough test. The Cubs just beat them 2-1 last night, thanks to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 39th homer and Kevin Gausman’s seven sharp innings. But this is baseball. You bounce back. We’ve got three big topics today: who starts on the mound in Cincinnati, how the bullpen handles the workload with so many guys on IL, and whether Chourio can keep this hot streak alive against a new opponent.
Whitney: Exactly. And before we get into the nitty-gritty of the rotation, I want to take a quick second to talk about you, the listeners. We put out a fresh, detailed episode every single day, analyzing games, injuries, and stats from scratch. That takes time, research, and passion. A small group of supporters helps us keep this show free and daily for everyone. If you love what we do, please check the link in the episode description to chip in. It means the world to us.
Terry: That is super appreciated. Alright, let’s get to the game. The Brewers are traveling to face the Cincinnati Reds tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 PM Eastern. This is a pivotal moment in the stretch run. The standings are tight, and every win counts toward securing home-field advantage or at least ensuring a playoff spot.
Whitney: Let’s start with the most important question: Who is starting for Milwaukee? We know Brandon Woodruff is out for the season on the 60-day IL, and so is Gavin Hollowell on the 15-day. The rotation has been decimated. Who is in the box for tonight?
Terry: Right. With Woodruff, Shelby Miller, Angel Zerpa, Quinn Priester, and Tyler Austin all on the 60-day IL, plus Rob Zastryzny, Bryse Wilson, Edward Cabrera, and Gavin Hollowell on the 15-day, the depth chart is thin. For tonight, it looks like Logan Henderson or Robert Gasser are the likely starters. Both are young arms trying to prove themselves in a high-leverage situation.
Whitney: Logan Henderson? He’s only listed as a starter in our roster data. Is he ready for this? Last night against Chicago, they needed every bit of depth they had. Gausman pitched well, but the Brewers’ offense couldn’t string hits together until Chourio’s big night.
Terry: It’s a risk. Henderson has the stuff, but consistency is key. If they go with Gasser, it’s more about experience. Either way, the Brewers can’t afford to give up early runs. They played the Cubs to a 2-1 loss, and while the score was close, the pitching held firm until the late innings. Against Cincinnati, they need to be sharper.
Whitney: And let’s not forget the Reds’ lineup. They’re not an easy out. The Brewers have to execute their pitches. If Henderson or Gasser falls behind in the count, it could get ugly fast. We talked yesterday about how injuries were impacting the team, and this is the reality of it. Every pitcher matters twice as much right now.
Terry: Agreed. The margin for error is non-existent. If the starter goes six solid innings, the bullpen has to finish it. But look at that bullpen list. Jacob Webb is day-to-day. DL Hall, Trevor Megill, JoJo Romero, Chad Patrick, Abner Uribe, Antonio Senzatela, Aaron Ashby, Grant Anderson. It’s a long list, but some of these guys might be unavailable or limited.
Whitney: So if the starter doesn’t go deep, who is left to hold the lead? This is where the strategy comes in. Terry, how do you manage this bullpen against a team like Cincinnati?
Terry: You use your best arms in the highest leverage spots. JoJo Romero is a veteran presence. DL Hall brings velocity. But you have to be careful not to overuse them. If you burn out your setup man on Tuesday, he’s gone for Wednesday. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, especially with the playoffs approaching.
Whitney: That’s the challenge. Keeping guys fresh while getting outs. Let’s shift gears to the offense. Jackson Chourio was on fire last night. Four hits. What does that mean for tonight?
Terry: It means he’s the engine. When Chourio gets on base, everything opens up. He’s hitting with authority. Last night, he capitalized on mistakes. Against Cincinnati, expect the same approach. Look for him to attack the middle of the plate when the count is even. He’s showing great plate discipline lately.
Whitney: And who else needs to step up? We saw Christian Yelich hit a homer recently, but the rest of the lineup needs to contribute. David Hamilton at third, Joey Ortiz at shortstop, Brice Turang at second. Are they clicking?
Terry: Hamilton provides speed and contact. Ortiz has power potential. Turang is a defensive wizard at second. Offensively, they need to avoid strikeouts. The Cubs’ pitching was tough, but Chourio handled it. The key is putting the ball in play. If they make the pitcher work, fatigue sets in. That’s how you wear down a starter.
Whitney: What about the catchers? Bo Naylor and Gary Sanchez are both on the roster. William Contreras is the primary guy, but Naylor has been getting some looks. How does the catching situation impact the game?
Terry: Contreras is the anchor. He frames pitches well and controls the running game. Naylor is more of a power bat off the bench. If Contreras sits, Naylor needs to bring energy. But for tonight, expect Contreras behind the plate. His defense is crucial for managing this young pitching staff.
Whitney: Right. Defense wins championships, or so they say. And with the injuries, every defensive play is magnified. Garrett Mitchell in center field, Sal Frelick in right, Luis Lara in left. They need to be sharp. Any gaps there could cost runs.
Terry: Absolutely. Mitchell is a standout in center. His range is elite. Frelick and Lara need to cover ground. If the pitchers induce ground balls, these guys need to convert them into outs. It’s a team effort. No one player can carry the defensive load alone.
Whitney: Let’s talk about the injuries again, because they are a huge factor. Jacob Webb is day-to-day. Does that change the bullpen plan significantly?
Terry: Webb is a key reliever. If he’s out, someone else has to step up. Maybe Trevor Megill or Abner Uribe. It disrupts the hierarchy. Managers hate making changes mid-series. But necessity is the mother of invention. They’ll have to adapt quickly.
Whitney: Adapt or die. That’s the mindset. So, if Webb is out, who takes the ninth inning? Or does the closer role shift entirely?
Terry: Hard to say without confirmation. But usually, the highest velocity arm gets the call. If DL Hall is healthy, he might see action. Otherwise, it’s a committee. The manager will pick based on matchups. Lefty-lefty, righty-righty splits matter a lot here.
Whitney: Splits. That’s always the analyst keyword. Terry, what are the platoon splits looking like for the Brewers against right-handed pitching?
Terry: Chourio crushes righties. That’s his strength. Yelich too. The middle of the order is dangerous against right-handers. If the Reds start a lefty, it changes the dynamic. Then Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers might see more action. It’s all about matching up the best hitters against the weakest pitchers.
Whitney: So, if the Reds go lefty, the Brewers might struggle a bit? Or do they have the depth to handle it?
Terry: They have the depth. That’s why the roster is constructed this way. Versatility. If Chourio is pulled for a pinch hitter, someone else steps up. It’s about trust in the system. But yes, right-handed pitching is their bread and butter.
Whitney: Trust in the system. I like that. Okay, final segment. Keys to the series. What are the top two things the Brewers need to do to win this series in Cincinnati?
Terry: Number one: Pitching efficiency. Get the starter through five innings with minimal pitch count. Number two: Run production. Don’t rely on one home run. String together rallies. The Cubs game showed that one homer isn’t enough if you don’t add more.
Whitney: Efficiency and production. Simple but hard to execute. And what about the Reds? What should the Brewers watch out for?
Terry: The Reds have some power. Don’t underestimate their ability to hit solo shots. If you leave a pitch over the plate, they will punish it. Pitch inside, keep them honest. Control the strike zone.
Whitney: Control the zone. Got it. Now, bold prediction time. Terry, give me a score. Where does this series end?
Terry: I’m going with the Brewers taking two of three. They have the edge in talent and depth, despite the injuries. Chourio will drive in at least four runs across the series. Final prediction: Brewers win the series.
Whitney: Bold! I like it. Two of three. Chourio with multiple RBIs. That’s a confident take. I’ll stick with that. What about you, listeners? Do you agree? Let us know on social media.
Whitney: Alright, that’s the preview. Brewers vs. Reds. Pitching depth, Chourio’s heat, and the injury battle. Make sure to tune in tomorrow for our recap. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Share it with a fellow Brewer fan.
Terry: Thanks for listening. Keep supporting local sports. See you next time.
Whitney: Go Brewers!