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

The scorching-hot Reds welcome the Brewers to town.

A July series doesn’t get much bigger than the three-game showdown this weekend between the two best teams in the National League Central. After taking three of four last weekend in Milwaukee, the Cincinnati Reds (48-42) now place host to the first place Brewers with four games separating the two for division supremacy.

Any time there’s a series between the top teams in the division following the All-Star break, it automatically qualifies as must-watch TV. However, this one takes on more significance than most. Following this weekend’s contests at Great American Ball Park, the Reds and Brewers will only see each other one more time in the 2021 campaign during a three-game set in Milwaukee late next month.

That’s right.  There will not be any September meetings between the two clubs, so the Redlegs must take care of business this weekend. But, if the last month is any indication, Cincinnati should be rolling into the second half with a boatload of confidence.

Over their last 30 games, the Reds are a sizzling 19-11. Winners of eight of their last 10 contests, Cincinnati is currently the hottest team in baseball. Nevertheless, there’s work to be done by the Redlegs. Not only do they trail the Beer Makers by four games in the division, but they also sit 3.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

No one has to tell the Milwaukee Brewers (53-39) how well the Reds are playing. Cincinnati has spanked the Brewers taking six of seven during their last two visits to American Family Field. Entering play today, the Redlegs hold an 8-5 advantage over the Brew Crew this season.

However, Milwaukee is 4-2 this year in the Queen City. It may be only July 16th, but opportunities for the Reds to directly impact the division race versus the Brewers are few and far between. So expect to see emotions running this weekend at GABP.