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

The rookie second baseman is providing quality at-bats for the Reds.

Over the past week, there’s been some chatter about the positive recent play from Jonathan India, but the rookie has been outstanding over the last month if you look a little closer. Over his last 30 games, he’s slashing .264/.390/.460 with four homers and 11 RBIs.

One person who has taken notice is Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell. While India has spent most of the season hitting in the eighth spot, the Cincinnati skipper has moved the former Florida Gator to the top of the order the past two games, and India’s responded.

In eight at-bats, India reached base five times and scored three runs. If the Reds can get that type of production from the top of the lineup ahead of sluggers Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker, it has the potential of fully unleashing the Cincinnati offense.

Just how good has India been so far this season? His 0.9 bWAR is second among all-rookies who made their MLB debut in the 2021 season. Only Padres rookie infielder Ha-Seong Kim is better with a 1.0 bWAR based primarily on his defense. However, India’s offense is head and shoulders above Kim. India’s 108 OPS+ mark dwarves Kim’s 67 OPS+ rate.

Prediction

Something has to give. The Brewers have won nine of 10, while the Reds have been the victors in seven of their last 10 contests. GABP has been much too accommodating in recent years to the visitors from Milwaukee. That’s about to change.

Look for the Reds to take two of three from the sizzling Brewers and climb back to the .500 mark while setting their sights on climbing the National League mountain as the lowly Colorado Rockies visit the Queen City over the weekend.