On the Monday MLB slate, the Cincinnati Reds play host to the Milwaukee Brewers in the first outing of a three-game series. The Reds aren’t exactly riding high, so they’ll be tested against these Brewers, who come into the matchup riding a seven-game winning streak. This should be a fun one, so buckle in and get ready for the 7:10 p.m. EST contest.
Here’s a Reds vs. Brewers prediction and pick for tonight’s game.
Reds vs. Brewers prediction, preview
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are 4-6 across their last 10 games after dropping their last two contests to the Cubs. At a respectable 29-31, they’re near the .500 mark, but one would imagine the team probably predicted a slightly better campaign to this point. It’s a long season though, so they could always jump in the NL Central standings — especially with a positive series against the Brewers here.
As a team, Cincinnati falls 18th in AVG (.245) but 13th in OPS (.713) and ninth in runs scored. TJ Friedl’s 65 hits lead the way, and his .300 AVG is good for second on the team while he’s first in OBP at .382. Superstar Elly De La Cruz’s has the second-most hits on the team with a .258/.331/.455 slash line, and he’s got 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases to complement that production. Gavin Lux also looks quite good in his first season with the team, batting .291 himself. While Austin Hays remains sidelined with a foot injury at the moment, he’s also batting .303.
Considering that the Reds’ pitching staff sits 12th in ERA, ninth in WHIP, and seventh in opponent average with respectable marks in each, it’s a bit surprising they’re below .500. They’re fighting though, and with a bit of luck a rebound looks imminent.
Milwaukee Brewers
The issue for Cincy is that the Brewers stand in their way. Milwaukee holds a three-game lead for third place in a competitive NL Central, and with their 32-28 record and recent hot streak (8-2 across last 10 games), they’re not showing signs of letting up as one of the hotter teams in baseball.
The Brew Crew ranks 20th in AVG (.240), 25th in OPS (.683) on the year, but they’ve scored the eighth-most runs to this point. Over the last 15 days, their numbers look significantly better with a .278 AVG and .796 OPS — third and fourth-best in the MLB — as well as the second-most runs and eighth-most homers in that span. Jackson Chourio does lead the team with 66 hits and is hot over the , but he strikes out often and only reaches base at a .285 rate. Sal Frelick and Brice Turang are tied for second in hits, the former with a .292 AVG, while Rhys Hoskins rounds out this trio of batters with .270 averages or higher. Christian Yelich continues to hit bombs with a team-high 12 homers like the version of himself from his prime years, too.
The Brewers fall 18th and 19th in ERA and WHIP, and those numbers aren’t significantly better over the last 15 days with this hot streak. They’re doing it through sheer offense, which brings us to the best bets for tonight.
Reds vs. Brewers pick, best bet
Brady Singer takes the mound for Cincinnati tonight with a 4.60 ERA and 1.33 WHIP this season. Over his 58.2 innings of work, he’s struck out 49 batters. However, he hasn’t pitched particularly well over his last seven outings with an elevated 5.06 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over that span. He’s vulnerable — more on that in a moment.
Brewers starter Aaron Civale gets the starting nod on the other side. He’s thrown just 12.0 innings this season with a 6.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and nine punchouts in that span. He’s been a bit of a journeyman in his seven-year career having already played for three franchises, but in 74.0 innings for Milwaukee last year, he logged a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts. He’s a perfectly average pitcher, really, so the matchup looks just fine for the Reds.
With how hot the Brewers are at the moment, I do think they get the better of Singer tonight. I fully expect them to continue the offensive fireworks which have been on display lately and chase the Reds’ starter from the game before he can record 16.5 outs. I’m taking the under here at -105 odds.
Best bet: Brady Singer under 16.5 outs recorded (-105)
Click the odds to tail!
