After what can only be described as a disappointing series in Pittsburgh, the Milwaukee Brewers return home to take on the Cincinnati Reds in a four game series. The Brewers and Reds currently have identical 11-15 records and are tied for third in the National League Central. The new playoff format calls for the top two teams from each division making the playoffs. As the Crew is over one-third of the way through their season, this series could prove to be a make-or-break series as they vie for a playoff seed. The Brewers have lost four games in a row, while the Reds have lost two in a row.
Brewers Starting Pitchers
The Brewers will send Brett Anderson to the hill in Game One of the series against the Reds. Anderson is coming off of a win in his most recent start against the Twins. In that game, Anderson pitched a season-high six innings of one-run ball. He is currently 1-2 with a 3.71 ERA. Joey Votto has a .333 average against Anderson in 12 at-bats.
Game Two of the series will see Brandon Woodruff take the mound. The Brewers’ ace has struggled in each of his past two outings against the Cubs and Twins. The Brewers are 1-1 in those starts. Against the Cubs, Woody only went four and a third innings, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks. In the Twins game, Woody took the loss pitching five innings allowing two runs on nine hits and a walk. He only struck out three. Reds slugger Joey Votto has a .545 average with two home runs against Woody.
Adrian Houser gets the nod in Game Three of the series for the Brewers. Houser is 1-2 with a 3.72 ERA on the season. In his previous start, Houser went seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. Most of the hits were on ground balls, though, so hopefully he will get more ground ball outs against the Reds. Both Eugenio Suarez and Joey Votto carry in .429 averages against Houser.
The final game of the series will see Josh Lindbolm take the mound in his first start against the Reds. He last started against Pittsburgh, pitching just four innings and allowing three runs. He gave up six hits and a walk while striking out four.
Reds Starting Pitchers
The Reds will send Trevor Bauer to the bump in Game One. Bauer is having one of the best seasons of any starter this year, with a 3-0 record and 0.68 ERA. Recent Brewers call-up Jace Peterson has two hits in three at-bats against the Reds ace. Many Brewers’ fans are campaigning for the Brewers to sign Bauer to a one-year contract this offseason (he will only sign one-year deals, per his agent). Perhaps this outing could be another audition for the front office.
Luis Castillo will face the Brewers in Game Two of the series. The Reds pitcher is winless on the season, carrying in an 0-3 record with a 4.44 ERA. In his last outing, Castillo only made it three and a third innings before being taken out against Kansas City. Orlando Arcia has done very well against Castillo in the past. The short stop is batting .409 with seven RBI in 22 at-bats against the Reds pitcher.
The Reds will send Sonny Gray to the hill in Game Three. Gray is 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA so far this season with 51 strikeouts. In his last start against the Cardinals, Gray pitched six innings of two-run ball. He walked four and threw 99 pitches. Ryan Braun and Justin Smoak are each hitting .300 or better against Gray for their careers. In addition, Christian Yelich is hitting .429 against Gray in seven at-bats with a home run.
The Reds starter for the fourth game has yet to be determined.
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