The Cincinnati Reds (56-80) take on the Milwaukee Brewers (73-66) Saturday in the second game of a 3-game set at American Family Field. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET.
Season series: Brewers lead 8-5
The Reds opened this series with a bang, disposing of The Brew Crew 8-2 Friday night. LHP Nick Lodolo went 8 strong IP with 11 K’s, and the Reds offense slugged 3 homers. Cincinnati is 6-4 over its last 10 games and is a respectable 10-10 over the last 20.
The Brewers feel like they’re on the part of the Cha-Cha song that asks: “How low can ya go?” They now trail the St. Louis Cardinals by 8 games in the NL Central and don’t look to have much of a counter punch. Milwaukee is 16-22 since July 31, and this collapse is sure to shake some things up in the offseason.
Reds at Brewers projected starters
RHP Chase Anderson vs. RHP Adrian Houser
Anderson (0-2, 12.60 ERA) makes his 3rd start and 4th appearance. He has 5 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 6 BB and 6 K.
- Tossed 2 2/3 hitless IP with 4 BB and 4 K Sunday against the Colorado Rockies in his last start
- Threw 56 pitches last time and could stretch out to 65 or more over 4 IP
Houser (5-9, 4.83 ERA) makes his 18th start and 19th appearance. He has a 1.48 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 85 2/3 IP.
- Made 3 starts against Reds this year: 2-1, 6.00 ERA, 15 IP, 9 BB, 14 K
- Hasn’t thrown more than 81 pitches in 2 starts since returning from the IL Aug. 24
Reds at Brewers odds
- Money line (ML): Reds +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Brewers -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-110)| Brewers -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
Reds at Brewers picks and predictions
Prediction
Reds 7, Brewers 5
Money line
The Brewers are -240 favorites at home, and honestly, I wouldn’t pay -140 on them right now. Neither starter figures to be in the game in the 6th inning, and I trust Cincinnati’s offense more.
The only ace Milwaukee has in the hole is stud reliever RHP Devin Williams has only thrown 12 pitches since Monday and could be deployed for 2 innings if they get a lead.
I’ll take my chances with REDS (+190).
Run line/Against the spread
The Reds are 35-33 on the RL on the road, which is really good for a team 24 games below .500. I’m willing to throw a HALF-UNIT at REDS +1.5 (-110) in case the ML doesn’t cash.
Over/Under
So neither starter has been very good, and they don’t figure to go very deep into the game. We had 10 runs Friday, and I think we’ll reach that threshold again Saturday — we’ll have to if the Reds hope to prevail.
The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between these teams in Milwaukee. Take the OVER 8.5 (-125).
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