First things first: there’s rain in Cincinnati, so first pitch will not be at the scheduled 5:10 p.m. start time. It sounds like the rain should move out fairly quickly, though, so hopefully it’ll start by about 6. We’ll keep you updated.
The Brewers are coming off one of the biggest series of the year, a four-gamer which they split with the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Before facing off with Chicago for a final time during this regular season, Milwaukee makes a quick jaunt to Cincinnati for three games
with the Reds.
For the Brewers, they’ll turn to Shane Drohan, who last pitched on Saturday when he beat the Rangers with five innings of one-run ball. Drohan started against the Reds once this year, on July 1, and went 5 2/3 innings while allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. Milwaukee won that game 4-2.
The Reds are a little bit hot, having won two series in a row and four of their last six games against likely NL playoff teams, the Cubs and the Padres. Still, they’re the caboose in the NL Central, a game and a half behind the Pirates. Cincinnati’s starting pitcher tonight is the righty Rhett Lowder. Just 24 years old, Lowder was a first-round pick in 2023 and debuted at 22 the following season. He had an impressive cup of coffee with a 1.17 ERA in 30 2/3 innings, but missed most of the 2025 season (and all of the major-league season) with elbow and oblique injuries. This season, he’s been healthy, but has struggled a bit: in 24 games (21 of which were starts), Lowder has a 5.14 ERA and 4.64 FIP in 112 innings.
In roster news, reliever Joel Kuhnel—who was designated for assignment after the 30-day limit on his rehab assignment expired earlier this week—was claimed by the Giants. Kuhnel made 10 appearances for the Brewers this season, in which he allowed nine runs (seven earned) in 9 2/3 innings. Cheers, Joel, it was fun when you could suddenly throw 99 in Las Vegas.
The calls to move Brice Turang down in the lineup have been heard. Turang is playing tonight, but the struggling second baseman will bat sixth, while the Brewers will try a new lefty at the top of the lineup: Sal Frelick. Jake Bauers bats second, while Christian Yelich is fourth, so the Brewers are cramming lefties at the top of the lineup. Jackson Chourio hits third with William Contreras fifth; Garrett Mitchell, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton round out the lineup.
As mentioned, first pitch was scheduled for 5:10 p.m. but with rain in Cincinnati, it won’t start then. Right now, they’re saying they’ll meet and talk about it around 4:45, but the rain may be done by 6:00. The game is on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
