Reds vs Brewers Preview: Week 66 Sparks Fly in Milwaukee

The Reds come to Milwaukee hungry after dropping their last game. They're sitting at 39-43 on the season, but their bats are doing real damage. Look at yesterday—Elly De La Cruz crushed a home run 412 feet to left center, and it scored two runs. The lineup has punch. But here's the thing: they need to string wins together. Milwaukee just beat them 5-3, so Cincinnati knows what it takes to compete in this series. This game matters big time for the Reds' second-half push.

Cincinnati is sending Rhett Lowder to the mound. The young righty is 0-2 with a 3.83 ERA this season. He's given up hits, but he's also struck out 26 batters. The Brewers' lineup is dangerous—look what happened yesterday. Turang homered 418 feet, and Ortiz went deep 412 feet. Milwaukee scored twice in the eighth to win it. Lowder needs to attack early and keep runners off the bases. If he can manage the Brewers' power, Cincinnati has a real shot.

Milwaukee is 50-31 and leading the division. Brandon Sproat takes the ball for the Brewers tonight. The team dropped its last two games, but at home they're 26-17—a winning record. Willy Contreras, Bauers, and Vaughn were all part of yesterday's victory, each scoring runs. The Brewers have the firepower to keep putting balls in play. Cincinnati's pitching staff is still figuring things out, and Milwaukee's bats can punish mistakes. Tonight feels like the Brewers' game to win at American Family Field.