Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Pick

National League Central rivals collide when the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game set Monday night at Great American Ballpark.

Milwaukee just dropped two of three games to St. Louis over the weekend, and has lost 11 of its last 15. The Brewers sit in fourth place in the NL Central, eight games out of first place.

Cincinnati just lost three of four games to the Cubs over the weekend, scoring 10 runs over the last three games. In the process, the Reds handed over first place in the NL Central to the Cardinals.

Milwaukee is just 9-19 on the road this season, 12-16 as underdogs.

Cincinnati is 16-14 at home this year, 17-10 as favorites.

The Reds have won five of seven games vs. the Brewers so far this season, scoring 50 runs in those seven games. Milwaukee took the season series with the Reds last year 10-6, with the over/under going 8-8.

Milwaukee rookie left-hander Zach Jackson made his first major league start last week vs. San Diego, allowing 2 ER and 10 hits in 6 1/3 IP.

Cincy starter Harang (7-4, 3.72) has given up 7 ER and 25 H+W in his last 18 2/3 IP. The Reds are 9-4 in Harang’s starts this year, the o/u 8-4.

Harang tossed a shutout vs. the Brewers back in April, and in three starts vs. Milwaukee this year and last, Harang has allowed 5 ER and 33 H+W in 23 IP.

The Brewers own a .338 team OBP, 5th-best in the NL, and average 4.8 runs per game.

The Reds own a .348 team OBP, 2nd-best in the league, and average 5.2 RPG. But that average jumps to 6.9 RPG vs. LH pitching.

The Milwaukee bullpen has allowed 7 ER and 21 H+W in its last 18 2/3 IP.

The Cincinnati bullpen has given up 10 ER and 23 H+W in its last 12 2/3 innings of work.

The o/u is 35-26 in Brewers games this year, 35-28 in Reds games, but just 12-15 at Great American Ballpark.

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