Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2019 ) Milwaukee 4, Cincinnati 2

The Milwaukee Brewers' hopes of returning to the postseason appeared to dim considerably when reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich was lost for the season after suffering a fractured kneecap. Instead, the Brewers have thrived in Yelich's absence and can clinch a playoff spot when they resume their three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.

Former MVP Ryan Braun homered among two hits to extend his hitting streak to four as Milwaukee made it five straight wins to lower its magic number to one for wrapping up a wild-card berth. "It’s looking good right now, but we have to show up and do it again tomorrow," outfielder Lorenzo Cain said of the Brewers needing one win or a loss by the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets to nail down a playoff berth. Surging Milwaukee has won 16 of 18 -- and 11 of 13 since Yelich was hurt -- to close within one game of Washington for the top wild card. Cincinnati's Joey Votto had two hits in Tuesday's 4-2 loss and is 7-for-16 against Brewers scheduled starter Jordan Lyles, who will be opposed by fellow right-hander Tyler Mahle.

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jordan Lyles (11-8, 4.17 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (2-11, 4.93)

Lyles went more than two months without a victory and was 0-6 in an eight-start span before he was traded from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee, starting a remarkable turnaround in which he is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 10 starts. He gave up one run and struck out nine over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision versus San Diego last time out, the eighth time in 10 starts he has yielded one earned run or less. Derek Dietrich is 4-for-7 with a homer against Lyles, who is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA versus the Reds this season.

Mahle's winless drought reached 12 starts last time out, although he deserved a better fate after turning in a superb effort, settling for a no-decision after limiting the Cubs to one run and one hit over six innings. The soon-to-be 25-year-old was hit hard in his previous two turns, giving up a combined nine runs and 14 hits over 7 2/3 innings. Eric Thames is 3-for-7 with two homers off Mahle, who tossed six innings of three-run ball in a no-decision versus Milwaukee on July 1.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braun clubbed his 27th homer at Great American Ball Park, his most at an opposing stadium.

2. Reds rookie RF Aristides Aquino has an RBI in four straight games.

3. Milwaukee's ERA in September is a major league-leading 2.77.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Reds 4