The top two teams in the NL Central continue a three-game series Tuesday as the Cincinnati Reds (55-47) square off with the Milwaukee Brewers (56-45).
As just 1.5 games separate these two, every game is crucial as we come down the home stretch this season. If the season were to end today, both teams would be as the Reds hold a Wild Card spot, but both teams are still in the mix for the divisional crown.
As you consider your MLB picks, read ahead to get insight on this matchup and a feel for some of the Reds vs Brewers best bets.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers Odds
Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers Information
Cincinnati Reds vs Milwaukee Brewers
Location of the game: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI.
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 25. 8:10 pm ET
How to watch: MLB.TV
Recent Scores
Looking at the Cincinnati Reds schedule, they have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games. Sitting 55-47 overall, the Reds are an impressive 27-21 when playing on the road.
For the Brewers, they have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games. Milwaukee has been solid this season at home, going 28-23 at American Family Field to date.
On Monday, the Brewers took the first game of this series 3-2 behind rookie Sal Frerick’s first career home run. Elly De La Cruz hit his sixth home run in the loss for the Reds.
These two are leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the NL Central. Currently, the Reds sit 1.5 games behind the Brewers for first in the NL Central, but they sit 5.5 games ahead of the third-place Chicago Cubs.
In the Wild Card standings, the Reds hold the second spot by a mere .001 percentage point behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Reds hold a half-game lead over the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants for the second Wild Card spot.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers Analysis
Trying to even the series on Tuesday, the Reds will turn to 24-year-old lefty Andrew Abbott. Looking at his MLB player stats, he is 5-2 in nine games with a 2.10 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and he has struck out 57 in 55.2 innings.
In his last outing, Abbott picked up the win over the Giants after throwing eight scoreless innings. In terms of MLB team stats, the Reds rank tied for ninth in runs per game this season, averaging 4.92 runs.
Over the last couple weeks, Matt McLain has been on a tear for the Reds. In his last 36 at bats, he is hitting .306/.390/.583 with three home runs and six runs batted in.
The Reds are 5-1 in their last six games and 15-4 in their last 19 road games. Still, they are winless in their last five games against the Brewers.
Milwaukee’s Quest for More Runs!
Milwaukee will counter with staff ace Corbin Burnes in Tuesday’s contest. In 20 games, he is 9-5 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and he has 125 strikeouts in 121.1 innings.
In his last three starts, Burnes has allowed a combined two earned runs over 20 innings of work. He has allowed just seven hits and struck out 29 in that span.
MLB team stats show that the Brewers struggle on the offensive side. They rank 25th in scoring, averaging just 4.14 runs per game (4.32 at home).
Christian Yelich has been the team’s best offensive player in terms of MLB player stats. In 367 at-bats this year, he is hitting .289/.377/.477 with 14 home runs, 55 runs batted in, 72 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. The Brewers have gone 8-3 in their last 11 games. The under has hit in 10 of those 11 games.
Key Injuries
The MLB injury report shows that the Reds are still without pitching phenom Hunter Greene, who is still out with a hip injury.
The Brewers are without starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) and slugging first baseman Rowdy Tellez (forearm).
Odds Breakdown
As you analyze the Reds vs Brewers best bets, it is important to look at the MLB odds for this game.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are the underdogs in this one playing on the road. They are +135 to win. Their spread sits at +1.5, with odds of -160.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers are favored with a moneyline set at -150. They are -1.5 on the spread, with odds of +140.
The over/under for total runs is eight. The odds for the over sit at -105. The odds for the under eight runs is -115.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers Betting Pick and Prediction
As we determine the Reds vs Brewers best bets, the Brewers seem like the right pick in this one. For as good as Andrew Abbott has been, Corbin Burnes has been one of the best pitchers in the league over his last few starts.
- Especially playing at home, expect the Brewers to ride their ace pitcher to another victory Tuesday. Take the Brewers to win at -150.
With such phenomenal pitching on the mound on both sides, expect the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers score today to be really low. Take the under-eight runs (-115).
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