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

The Brew Crew have consistently been the class of the NL Central.

For the past 95 days, the Milwaukee Brewers have sat atop the division standings. After falling a season-high two games under .500 on May 21st following a loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the Brew Crew have gone 55-26 without much of a challenge for division supremacy.

The Beer Makers had a sizzling June going 19-8 and have been just as good in August, compiling a 14-6 record. Winners of 20 of their past 30 contests, Milwaukee is an outstanding 23-10 since the All-Star break.

Baseball-Reference gives the Brewers a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs. Barring a complete collapse, it will be their fourth consecutive trip to the postseason. Manager Craig Counsell has amassed an impressive 510-461 mark in his seven seasons at the helm.

Believe it or not, when the Brewers have displayed vulnerability this year, it’s when they’re playing in front of their home crowd. Even though their .548 winning percentage at home is nothing to scoff at, it pales in comparison to their blistering .667 winning mark on the road.

A familiar face will almost certainly see his first action against the Cincinnati Reds since late May. Former All-Star and Gold Glove winner Lorenzo Cain missed nearly two months with a strained right hamstring.

Since returning from the IL, the 12-year veteran is slashing .279/.315/.412 with two homers, 14 RBIs, and five stolen bases in 19 games. Needless to say, the hamstring seems to be feeling just fine.