Cincinnati @ Milwaukee preview
Miller Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2018 ) Cincinnati 3, Milwaukee 1
After winning seven straight series to strengthen their standing in the National League playoff race, the Milwaukee Brewers are in danger of dropping back-to-back sets – and to the bottom two teams in the division. The Brewers will try to avoid a second straight series loss when they wrap up a three-game run against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.
Cincinnati evened the series with a 3-1 win Tuesday, as five pitchers held the Brewers to three hits – all singles. It was just the second win in the past six games for the Reds, who have totaled only eight runs over that stretch. Milwaukee has dropped three of its last four games (the first two against Pittsburgh) following a 12-3 stretch and has fallen 3 1/2 games behind the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs, though the Brewers remain atop the NL wild-card race. The Brewers lead the season series 12-6, but the teams have split the past 10 meetings after Milwaukee won seven of the first eight this season.
TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Wisconsin, Dish455 (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Matt Harvey (7-8, 4.67 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Gio Gonzalez (8-11, 4.44)
Harvey has been excellent in three starts this month, posting quality starts in all three outings and pitching to a 2.50 ERA. The 29-year-old blanked the Cubs for six innings last time out but didn’t get a decision in a 3-2 defeat. Harvey is 1-2 with a 5.26 ERA in five starts against the Brewers, who have tagged him for nine runs in 14 2/3 innings across three meetings this season.
The Brewers have won each of the first two games Gonzalez has started since being acquired from Washington, but he struggled with his command in his most recent outing. The 32-year-old walked four and made it through just 4 2/3 innings Friday against Pittsburgh, allowing three runs. Gonzalez is 5-3 with a 2.99 ERA in 11 starts against the Reds.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yelich is 25-for-52 with seven homers and 17 RBIs against the Reds this season.
2. Reds SS Jose Peraza has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, including eight multi-hit contests.
3. Brewers INF Travis Shaw left Tuesday’s game with a bruised right knee.
PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Reds 3