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Reds vs Brewers action returns to Milwaukee for a three-game National League Central series, with the Brewers closing in on a postseason berth and the Reds trying to regain momentum late in the 2026 season. The series begins Friday, September 11, following Milwaukee’s sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
The Brewers enter the matchup with a 91-56 record and a commanding 10-game lead over the rest of the NL Central. With only 15 games remaining, Milwaukee has positioned itself for October baseball. Cincinnati, meanwhile, sits in last place at 69-77 after being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers to open the week.
Reds vs Brewers Series Brings Critical Playoff Pressure
Milwaukee has been one of the National League’s most consistent teams throughout the season. The Brewers are hitting .257/.339/.400, good for a .739 OPS that ranks fourth in the majors. Their 742 runs scored rank third, while their 143 stolen bases rank fourth.
Power has not been Milwaukee’s defining strength. The club has hit 137 home runs, the lowest total in the majors, but its combination of contact hitting, speed and run production has kept the offense among baseball’s best. That balanced approach could be important against Cincinnati’s pitching staff.
The Reds are batting .230/.308/.398, producing a .706 OPS that ranks 23rd. Cincinnati has hit 196 home runs, fourth in MLB, but has scored only 611 runs, ranking 25th. The contrast sets up an intriguing series between Milwaukee’s efficient offense and Cincinnati’s greater reliance on the long ball.
Dominant Milwaukee Pitching Faces Cincinnati’s Hitters
The most significant advantage belongs to the Brewers’ pitching staff. Milwaukee ranks second in the majors with a 3.56 team ERA. The starting rotation owns a 3.63 ERA, while the bullpen has posted a 3.46 mark. Brewers pitchers have also recorded 1,406 strikeouts across 1,312 2/3 innings.
Cincinnati has struggled to match that production. The Reds rank 27th with a 4.73 team ERA, including a 4.78 starter ERA and a 4.68 bullpen ERA. Their staff has collected 1,186 strikeouts over 1,293 innings.
Friday: Dustin May vs. Andrew Abbott
Dustin May will start the series opener for Milwaukee against Cincinnati left-hander Andrew Abbott. May is 6-9 with a 4.69 ERA and a 3.51 FIP overall, but his first six starts with the Brewers have been uneven. He has logged 23 1/3 innings for Milwaukee with a 6.17 ERA, a 5.20 FIP and 21 strikeouts.
May last faced the Reds in Cincinnati, throwing 3 2/3 innings before a rain delay ended his outing. He allowed two runs on five hits, walked nobody and struck out five. In two starts against Cincinnati this season, May has allowed three runs over 9 2/3 innings while recording 13 strikeouts.
Abbott enters with a 4.43 ERA and a 4.78 FIP over 29 starts. He faced Milwaukee last weekend, allowing two runs, one earned, over four innings in Cincinnati’s 5-3 victory. Abbott has a 3-4 record and a 3.62 ERA in 10 career starts against the Brewers.
Weekend Matchups Feature Singer and Burns
Brady Singer is scheduled to start Saturday for Cincinnati. Singer is 6-13 with a 5.03 ERA and a 5.16 FIP in 28 starts. He earned the win against Milwaukee last weekend despite allowing six runs and six walks over five innings in a 12-8 Reds victory.
Milwaukee has not announced its Saturday or Sunday starters. Shane Drohan and Kyle Harrison appear to be the leading possibilities, although manager Pat Murphy could use Harrison under a short leash with a long reliever available.
Drohan has enjoyed a promising rookie season, going 7-5 with a 4.09 ERA, a 3.61 FIP and 115 strikeouts over 114 1/3 innings. Harrison is 10-4 with a 3.66 ERA, a 4.03 FIP and 134 strikeouts, but he has allowed 15 runs in his last two outings.
Sunday’s probable Cincinnati starter is Chase Burns, a former No. 2 overall pick. Burns has been outstanding, compiling a 15-3 record, a 2.73 ERA, a 3.09 FIP and 176 strikeouts over 148 1/3 innings. However, the Reds are managing his workload carefully as the season reaches its final weeks.
Injuries and Broadcast Information
The Brewers recently placed Grant Anderson on the 15-day injured list with biceps tendinitis. Brandon Sproat briefly replaced him on the active roster before being sent down, with Garrett Stallings expected to help reinforce the bullpen. Jake Bauers is also managing lower-body injuries, though Milwaukee has not placed him on the injured list.
Cincinnati activated Graham Ashcraft and Ke’Bryan Hayes from the injured list. The Reds designated Sam Moll for assignment and optioned Edwin Arroyo to Triple-A Louisville in corresponding moves.
- Friday: 6:45 p.m.; exclusively on Apple TV, with radio coverage on the Brewers Radio Network.
- Saturday: 6:10 p.m.; Brewers television and Brewers Radio Network.
- Sunday: 1:10 p.m.; Brewers television and Brewers Radio Network.
Milwaukee appears poised to win at least two games in the series and could potentially secure a postseason spot during the weekend. Cincinnati already demonstrated its ability to challenge the Brewers by taking two of three in the previous meeting, so the matchup should offer an important test before October.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Reds vs Brewers series begin?
The three-game series begins Friday, September 11, 2026, at 6:45 p.m. in Milwaukee.
Who is starting the series opener?
Milwaukee is scheduled to start Dustin May, while Cincinnati will send Andrew Abbott to the mound.
Who is Cincinnati’s Sunday starter?
Chase Burns is the Reds’ probable Sunday starter. He enters with a 15-3 record and a 2.73 ERA.
Where can fans watch the series?
Friday’s game is exclusively available on Apple TV. Saturday and Sunday’s games are scheduled for Brewers television, with all three games available on the Brewers Radio Network.
