Reds vs Brewers Odds, Score Prediction and Analysis

The Milwaukee Brewers lead the NL Central Division pretty comfortably with three teams currently neck-and-neck in second place, including the Cincinnati Reds, who visit Milwaukee to open a weekend series Friday in what looks to be a good pitching matchup. The Brew Crew are favored on the MLB odds.

The Reds have won eight of 10, but also snapped a two-game skid on Wednesday with a 4-2 home win over Cleveland to split that Ohio Cup series.

“Everything started in the mind. It comes into the body,” Candelario said of the recent surge. “You want to be as calm as you want to be, as positive as you want to be. You want good vibes. But to create that, you have to have a routine. You have to be solid with that routine. That routine will bring you your confidence and everything you need to have success. If you can hit, you’re going to hit. You just have to be patient.”

TJ Friedl singled and scored a run in the win. Friedl singled off of Bibee in the sixth inning, then rode home on Jeimer Candelario’s go-ahead three-run homer. That would be Friedl’s only hit in four at-bats. He has been having a rough time at the plate in-between stints on the injured list this season, slashing a .221/.338/.382 with three homers, 13 RBI and five stolen bases in his first 19 games.

Alexis Díaz got the save, retiring all three hitters that he faced in order to preserve a two-run advantage.

Cincinnati has not had likely No. 1 third baseman Noelvi Marte yet this season, as he’s in the final two weeks of an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a banned steroid (Boldenone) last year. Marte is in the minors and has been hitting well and eligible to return from suspension June 27. Marte slashed .316/.366/.456 in 35 games and 123 plate appearances in the big leagues last season.

It’s fire-balling righty Hunter Greene (4-2, 3.61 ERA) scheduled on the mound Friday. Greene, Nelva allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings and got the win in the Reds’ 8-4 victory over the Cubs last Thursday. Greene gave up five hits, walked two and struck out eight. It was a bit of a mixed bag for Greene, with two home runs allowed and eight strikeouts.

Greene was previously expected to start Tuesday versus Cleveland, but he was given a bit of extra rest this week after throwing 111 pitches in each of his past two starts. However, he is 0-5 with an 8.25 ERA in five career starts vs. the Brewers, including a loss back on April 10 when Greene was shelled.

This starts a six-game trip for the Reds, who went 5-1 on their last trip to the Cubs and Rockies. It was their best 6-game trip since last season. Cincinnati opened the season by winning 16 of its first 29 games (.552) overall. From April 30 through May 25, the Reds were 4-17 (.190). They have since won eight of 10 and 13 of 18.

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The Brewers took two of three in Cincinnati from April 8-10 – the fourth game was postponed by rain. Milwaukee is a heavy favorite to win the NL Central with the second-biggest division lead in the majors. Then again, every other Central team has a losing record.

After Toronto logged three straight hits off Hoby Milner to start the ninth, the Brewers turned to Megill to shut the door. He’d get off to a shaky start, allowing two inherited runs to score after a hit and a walk, though he’d ultimately settle in and close out the victory.

Megill has now converted Milwaukee’s last three save chances while allowing just one earned run in his last seven appearances. The bullpen has a 1.62 ERA in June.

Second baseman Joey Ortiz missed a second straight start with a sore left hamstring. Manager Pat Murphy noted that Ortiz “tested out really well” on Wednesday though and the Brewers are hopeful that after Thursday’s off-day he’ll be ready to play Friday.

It’s ace righty Freddy Peralta (4-3) on the hill, although he has been struggling a bit of late. Peralta did not factor into the decision last Saturday against the Tigers, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings. Peralta had issues with his command, with the five walks being tied for his second most this season. He threw 94 pitches to retire just 10 batters as he found himself in constant trouble with a lot of traffic on the bases.

Peralta got just five swings and misses in the contest, posting an underwhelming CSW of only 24 percent.

The Brewers are 20-11 at home, going 7-2-1 in series play. The team has gone 15-4 in its last 19 home games after a 5-7 start. Milwaukee is 30-11 in its last 41 games against Cincinnati overall, including seven consecutive series wins.

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