Reds OF TJ Friedl takes his hot bat to the Cream City to battle the slumping Brewers

September is off to a positive start for the Ole Redlegs. Following yesterday's series-clinching victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, the Cincinnati Reds (55-80) are 4-2 to open the 2022 season's final full month.

Despite the dismantling of the ball club at the trade deadline that saw veterans Brandon Drury, Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, Tyler Naquin, and Tommy Pham exit the Queen City, Cincinnati has played surprisingly well in spite of the departures and injuries to such players as Hunter Greene, Mike Moustakas, Tyler Stephenson, and Joey Votto.

The core of a healthy Jonathan India, Kyle Farmer, Jake Fraley, and TJ Friedl have posted a 21-23 record since the All-Star break. Of course, some of the credit must be given to manager David Bell who has inspired a group of mostly unknown and unproven players to put up a worthy fight on a nightly basis.

Reds OF TJ Friedl take his hot bat to Milwaukee to battle the Brewers.

At the first true signpost of the 2022 season, everything seemed to be going to plan for the Milwaukee Brewers (73-65) as they led the National League Central by four games on Memorial Day. However, since May 30th, the Beer Makers have stumbled to a 41-47 mark entering Thursday and trail the first-place St. Louis Cardinals by nine games.

Unfortunately, the summer-long skid has the Brewers on the brink of missing the postseason for the first time since the 2017 campaign. As play begins today, Milwaukee is 2.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the third and final Wild Card slot in the senior circuit.

As usual, the Brew Crew have dominated Cincinnati this season winning eight of the 12 contests. Nevertheless, the Redlegs took two of three from the Brew Crew early last month during a series at American Family Field. Only once since 2017, during the pandemic shortened 2020 season, have the Reds captured the season series from the Brewers.