Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2018 ) Milwaukee 13, Cincinnati 12

Christian Yelich is tormenting Cincinnati pitching and he aims for his third straight strong outing when the visiting Milwaukee Brewers close the series against the Reds on Thursday. Yelich matched the franchise record of six hits while hitting for the team's first cycle in seven years in Wednesday's wild 13-12, 10-inning victory.

Yelich had two homers and five RBIs in Tuesday's series opener before going deep again Wednesday and driving in three more. Jesus Aguilar hit the go-ahead homer in the 10th - his 30th of the season - and Mike Moustakas was 4-for-6 with a homer and three RBI to help Milwaukee win for the sixth time in its last nine games to maintain possession of the National League's second wild-card spot. Cincinnati's Eugenio Suarez hit his 30th homer in Wednesday game, one of five the Reds belted during the slugfest. Billy Hamilton is 6-for-10 in the series for Cincinnati after going 4-for-5 with a homer on Wednesday.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Wade Miley (2-2, 2.32 ERA) vs. Reds LH Cody Reed (0-1, 3.68)

Miley is winless in his past four starts and received a no-decision against Pittsburgh in his last turn when he gave up two runs and 10 hits over five innings. The 31-year-old is 2-2 in six road starts while posting a 2.12 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Miley defeated the Reds on May 2 when he allowed one run and three hits over six innings and stands 4-2 with a 3.42 ERA in eight career outings against Cincinnati, including a 4-0 mark in five starts at Great American Ball Park.

Reed is making his second start of the season after giving up five runs (three earned) and four hits over three innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 9. The 25-year-old made a start against the Brewers on Aug. 14, 2016 when he was torched for six runs and five hits in one-plus innings. Reed has fared much better in seven career relief appearances against Milwaukee by allowing one run and six hits over 7 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 1B Joey Votto (right leg) is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Thursday's game.

2. Yelich is the eighth player in Milwaukee franchise history to hit for the cycle and the first since George Kottaras on Sept. 3, 2011.

3. Cincinnati placed LHP Amir Garrett (foot) on the 10-day DL and activated RHP Jackson Stephens (knee) off the same list.

PREDICTION: Brewers 8, Reds 7