National League Central rivals the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers open a four-game set tonight where Nestor Cortes hopes he doesn’t have to see another torpedo bat.
Milwaukee hitters should start picking up some torpedo bats of their own the way they’ve been hitting to start the season.
My Reds vs. Brewers predictions and MLB picks highlight a player prop for a slumping member of the Brew Crew, with first pitch set to be thrown at 7:40 pm ET at American Family Field in Milwaukee, on Thursday, April 3.
Reds vs Brewers prediction
My Reds vs Brewers best bet: Christian Yelich Under 0.5 hits (+155 at bet365)
The Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers enter tonight’s series opener with matching 2-4 records, but the similarities pretty much stop there — especially when it comes to pitching.
Nestor Cortes and his silly 36.00 ERA are only partly to blame for the fact the Brewers have surrendered a league-high 49 runs this season.
On the other hand, the Reds have allowed just 19 runs this season, ranking seventh in team ERA and third in opponent batting average allowed. Tonight, they hand the ball to one of their best starters, Nick Lodolo.
The 27-year-old lefty is coming off a breakout campaign where he pitched to a 3.72 expected ERA while limiting opponents to a .226 expected batting average. Lodolo also started 2025 off on the right foot, limiting the San Francisco Giants to two runs on five hits over six innings of work.
One Brewers player who won’t be happy to see Lodolo is Christian Yelich.
The former MVP has gotten off to a horrendous start in 2025, collecting just two hits in 22 plate appearances. That’s a .118 batting average and a .612 OPS. Lodolo has also had his number. Yelich is just 1-for-8 with two strikeouts in nine career plate appearances against Lodolo.
Lodolo also has the splits advantage with this being a lefty-lefty matchup. I’m betting Yelich’s season-opening slump continues tonight, and I'm betting he will go 0-fer at the dish and take his Under 0.5 hits at nice plus money.
Something Yelich has already done three times in this young season.
Reds vs Brewers same-game parlay (SGP)
Christian Yelich Under 0.5 hits
Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI
Reds team total Over 3.5
We’ve got to pick on Nestor Cortes a little here. For goodness sake, he has a 36.00 ERA and gave up four home runs in his first inning of the season. So, we might as well back a Reds player we know who is using a torpedo bat — Elly De La Cruz.
De La Cruz is locked in to start the year, hitting .333 with a 1.027 OPS, two home runs, and eight RBIs. He’s topped 1.5 Hits, Runs, and RBI in three of his six games, and I like him to do it again tonight.
But like I said, it’s not just Cortes. This whole Brewers pitching staff has been nuked. They rank dead last in ERA and xFIP at this point in the season and have allowed four or more runs four times in six games. I’m betting they do it again.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Reds vs Brewers odds
Reds vs Brewers live odds
Reds vs Brewers opening odds
- Moneyline: Cincinnati -105 | Milwaukee -115
- Run line: Cincinnati +1.5 (-180) | Milwaukee -1.5 (+150)
- Over/Under: Over 8.0 | Under 8.0
Reds vs Brewers trend
The Brewers have only hit the game total Under in 68 of their last 161 games for -23.35 Units and a -13% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Brewers.
How to watch Reds vs Brewers and game info
| Location | American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI |
| Date | Thursday, 4-3-2025 |
| First pitch | 7:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin |
| Reds starting pitcher | Nick Lodolo (1-0, 3.00 ERA) |
| Brewers starting pitcher | Nestor Cortes (0-1, 36.00 ERA) |
Reds vs Brewers latest injuries
Reds vs Brewers weather
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
