Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Milwaukee Brewers, June 2

Probable starting pitchers

Major League Baseball is celebrating the life and legacy of Lou Gehrig. The Cincinnati Reds will be wearing their City Connect uniforms upon a return to Great American Ball Park. The Zac Brown Band will be on the field for a post-game concert. The only thing missing is a W.

That duty falls to rookie pitcher Brandon Williamson. The lefty has yet to get his first major league win, but hasn't pitched bad, getting into the fifth inning in all three starts. Williamson needs to get back that debut performance like he had a few weeks back in Colorado when he punched out six and allowed just two hits.

Starting for the Milwaukee Brewers will be former Cy Young Award-winner Corbin Burnes. This will be a difficult matchup for the Reds hitters, especially with Spencer Steer and TJ Friedl out of the lineup. Burnes is 4-4 with a 3.68 ERA.

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup

Kevin Newman will not only be the leadoff hitter in tonight's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, but he'll also be playing first base. Matt McLain will be back at shortstop and followed by Jonathan India. Jake Fraley will be in right field and batting cleanup.

Tyler Stephenson will not be playing first base, but rather occupy the DH role tonight. Nick Senzel is back at the hot corner and will be followed by Stuart Fairchild. Will Benson gets a rare start in left field and Luke Maile will be hanging the signs for Brandon Williamson.

Which Cincinnati Reds player needs to bounce back in tonight's game?

This may surprise some Reds fans, but Jonathan India is in a bit of a slump. The former Rookie of the Year is 6 for his last 30 with six strikeouts and two walks. Two of those hits were round trippers, but India's OPS during that stretch is just .675.

India has been supplanted in the leadoff role by, strange as it may seem, Kevin Newman. The Cincinnati Reds need India to get back to being himself as the captain of this year's team.

Which Cincinnati Reds player will be the X-factor in tonight's game?

On the season, Nick Senzel owns a .745 OPS with four home runs and 26 RBIs. Over the last seven games, however, Senzel has posted an OPS of .869, going 8-for-24 six RBIs. The Reds are going to need that version of Senzel tonight.

Senzel will be back at the hot corner tonight after getting the start in left field during his past two games in Boston. Cincinnati needs some production from the bottom-half of the lineup, and if Stuart Fairchild or Tyler Stephenson reach base ahead of him, Senzel needs to bring them home tonight.