Getting runners on base and into scoring position hasn’t been an issue for the Milwaukee Brewers. Capitalizing on those runners, however, has been a different story of late.
They’ll aim to change that when they host the Cincinnati Reds for the first of a four-game series beginning Monday.
The Brewers were just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position in a 4-3 loss in 10 innings against the visiting Chicago Cubs on Sunday — their second straight defeat after a five-game winning streak. They are 6-for-51 over their past two series, including 1-for-23 in their three-game sweep at Cincinnati last week.
“Trying harder and wanting it more isn’t going to make it happen,” Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich said. “Everybody wants to get the job done. … It’s just, oftentimes you have to slow that down and try to focus. The other team knows what they have to do to execute in that situation, too, right? We’re just going through a rough stretch of it.”
Stellar pitching helped Milwaukee overcome its struggles at the plate to go 4-2 over the past six games. Brewers starters have allowed just 13 hits while striking out 48 batters and combining for a miniscule 0.82 ERA during that stretch.
They held Cincinnati to six total runs a week ago.
Robert Gasser (1-3, 4.50 ERA) will look to keep that going as he takes the mound in the opener. The left-hander has faced the Reds once in his career, in September 2025, taking the loss after giving up four runs (none earned) on four hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Gasser allowed just two runs on four hits and fanned seven in his most recent outing, earning the win in Milwaukee’s 9-4 road victory against the Atlanta Braves on June 21.
The Reds, meanwhile, arrive in Milwaukee faced with some potential question marks in their lineup.
Designated hitter Eugenio Suarez and shortstop Elly De La Cruz were each banged up in a 9-4 loss to the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.
A fastball from Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller in the sixth inning caught Suarez on his left hand. He underwent X-rays but because of swelling, it came back inconclusive. He is scheduled to undergo a CT scan in Milwaukee on Monday.
On Saturday, Suarez delivered a game-winning three-run home run to lift the Reds to a 9-7 victory against the Pirates.
“Right now it feels a lot better than when I got hit,” Suarez said after the game. “It was painful, but now I feel lot better, so I pray to God nothing comes up on the CT scan.”
De La Cruz sprained his ankle on a swing in the fifth inning Sunday when he grounded into an inning-ending double play. He went to the ground and did not run to first on the play.
He stayed in the game after being looked at by Cincinnati manager Terry Francona and a trainer.
“It kind of stiffened up while we were in here,” Francona said. “We’ll re-evaluate him, too, and see how he’s doing.”
Nick Lodolo (2-2, 5.59) will get the nod after taking a comebacker off his left wrist in his last start, a 2-0 loss to the Brewers on June 23. The lefty is 1-1 with a 2.52 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against Milwaukee.
–Field Level Media
