Reds vs. Brewers: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The Reds and Brewers, the hottest two teams in the division, square off at GABP.

With all due respect to Prince, let’s party like it’s 1990, Reds Country. For the first time in 31 years, the Cincinnati Reds (28-29) have swept a four-game set in St. Louis, setting the stage for an important three-game tilt with the surging Milwaukee Brewers.

Following the 17-3 shellacking at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies a week ago, nobody could have anticipated the Redlegs’ rampage through Busch Stadium. However, as we all know, baseball is a funny game.

Just how did the Reds pull of this most unexpected feat? First of all, kudos to the starting rotation for tossing four brilliant games. Each starter that manager David Bell sent to the mound did their job and left the game with the Reds leading, placing the team in a position to win.

Next, Jesse Winker was Jesse Winker as he sent rockets flying all over Busch Stadium. Finally, Lucas Sims escaped more tight spots than George Clooney’s character in O Brother, Where Art Thou? The right-handed reliever may not have helped our blood pressure, but he got the outs when the Reds needed them the most.

Even though the Reds’ seven victories in the past 10 contest is impressive, the Milwaukee Brewers (33-26) have been better over the same timeframe.  The Beer Makers have captured wins in nine of their last 10 games and vaulted to the top of the National League Central.

This will be Milwaukee’s second trip to the Queen City, having taken two of three from the Reds in their first visit, which is nothing new for the Brewers. Recent history has been kind to Milwaukee in Cincinnati as the Brewers have won two of the last three series at Great American Ball Park.