Brewers vs. Reds: Sept. 11-13, 2026 Series Preview and Pitching Matchups

The Milwaukee Brewers open a three-game home series against the Cincinnati Reds with a rare late-season advantage. Milwaukee holds a 10-game lead in the National League Central and can move closer to securing a postseason berth, while Cincinnati is last in the division and looking to rebuild momentum after being swept by the Dodgers.

The series begins Friday at 6:45 p.m., followed by games Saturday at 6:10 p.m. and Sunday at 1:10 p.m. It offers an interesting pitching contrast: Dustin May and Andrew Abbott meet Friday, Brady Singer faces an undecided Brewers starter Saturday, and Chase Burns is expected to take the mound Sunday.

Brewers-Reds Series Stakes and Recent Form

Milwaukee enters Friday at 91-56 with 15 games remaining. A sweep of the Cubs immediately before this series expanded the Brewers’ NL Central lead to 10 games over every other club in the division.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, fell to 69-77 after being swept by the Dodgers to begin the week. The Reds took two of three games in Milwaukee the previous weekend, but the Brewers answered with their own three-game winning streak. That makes Sunday’s possible postseason-clinching scenario the central storyline of the series.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds Team Snapshot

Milwaukee’s profile is balanced: its pitchers generate strikeouts, its offense produces runs through several methods, and its baserunning adds pressure. Cincinnati possesses significantly more home-run power, but its 25th-ranked run total shows that the Reds have not consistently converted that power into scoring.

The pitching gap is even clearer. Milwaukee’s 3.63 starting-pitching ERA and 3.46 bullpen ERA both rank fifth. Cincinnati’s 4.78 starter ERA ranks 27th, while its 4.68 bullpen ERA ranks 25th.

Roster Changes and Injury Context

Since the teams’ previous meeting, the Reds activated right-handed pitchers Graham Ashcraft and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the injured list. Left-hander Sam Moll was designated for assignment, and utility player Edwin Arroyo was optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

Milwaukee’s only corresponding injured-list loss was right-hander Grant Anderson, who was placed on the 15-day IL with biceps tendinitis. Brandon Sproat replaced him but was demoted again Thursday. A recall of right-hander Garrett Stallings to strengthen the bullpen was expected.

The Brewers are also monitoring Jake Bauers, who continues to deal with several lower-body injuries. Rather than placing him on the injured list, Milwaukee is managing his workload. Ashcraft, Hayes and the possible Stallings recall should provide useful depth, but the Brewers’ bullpen remains the area most likely to require adjustment during the series.

Friday, Sept. 11: Dustin May vs. Andrew Abbott

Friday’s 6:45 p.m. matchup pairs RHP Dustin May, who owns a 6-9 record, 4.69 ERA and 3.51 FIP, with LHP Andrew Abbott, who is 6-10 with a 4.43 ERA and 4.78 FIP.

May began his Milwaukee tenure with two strong starts, but his results became uneven afterward. He allowed seven runs in two innings against Seattle, worked only one out while giving up a run against New York after being struck by a line drive, and followed with mediocre performances against Texas and Cincinnati. Across six starts for the Brewers, he has a 6.17 ERA, 5.20 FIP and 21 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.

May’s most recent appearance came against these Reds. He lasted 3 2/3 innings before a rain delay ended his outing, allowing two runs on five hits without a walk while striking out five on 56 pitches. In two starts against Cincinnati this season, he has allowed three runs and recorded 13 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings.

Abbott is experiencing a difficult fourth MLB season, with career-worst ERA and FIP marks over a career-high 29 starts. He lasted four innings in Cincinnati’s 5-3 win over Milwaukee last weekend, allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits including a homer. He struck out five and walked none. Across 10 career starts against Milwaukee, Abbott is 3-4 with a 3.62 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings.

Key factor: May must limit damage when hitters make contact, while Abbott needs to avoid expanding the strike zone. Cincinnati’s power makes even a brief command problem dangerous.

Saturday, Sept. 12: Brewers Starter TBD vs. Brady Singer

Saturday’s 6:10 p.m. game features an unspecified Brewers starter against RHP Brady Singer. Milwaukee has not announced its pitcher, although Shane Drohan and Kyle Harrison appear to be the leading candidates unless the rotation changes.

Singer enters the series with a 6-13 record, 5.03 ERA and 5.16 FIP over 28 starts. He earned last weekend’s win despite allowing six runs on four hits, including a homer, and six walks during five innings. Cincinnati won 12-8. Singer is 3-2 with a 4.70 ERA and 30 strikeouts in six career starts against Milwaukee.

Shane Drohan: Saturday’s Experienced Swing Option

Drohan is 7-5 with a 4.09 ERA, 3.61 FIP and 115 strikeouts in 114 1/3 innings during his rookie season. Cincinnati hit him hard last weekend, producing two homers and six runs during his four innings. The Brewers’ offense supplied 10 runs to secure a 10-7 victory.

His results against Cincinnati have worsened across three starts this season. He has allowed eight runs in 14 innings, producing a 5.14 ERA and 17 strikeouts.

Kyle Harrison: High Ceiling, Recent Volatility

Harrison is 10-4 with a 3.66 ERA, 4.03 FIP and 134 strikeouts in 110 2/3 innings. However, his two most recent starts against Chicago and Cincinnati were rough: he allowed 15 runs, 13 earned, over 7 1/3 innings while giving up 19 hits, six homers and six walks. He struck out seven.

Harrison’s history against Cincinnati adds another concern. He is 0-1 with a 6.27 ERA and 24 strikeouts in four career starts, covering 18 2/3 innings. Manager Pat Murphy’s recent comments indicated that Harrison could be used on a short leash with a long reliever ready behind him.

Sunday, Sept. 13: Chase Burns and the Brewers’ Rotation

Sunday’s 1:10 p.m. game also has an undecided Brewers starter, but Cincinnati’s probable pitcher is RHP Chase Burns. The 23-year-old former No. 2 overall pick is having an excellent sophomore season, with a 15-3 record, 2.73 ERA, 3.09 FIP and 176 strikeouts in 148 1/3 innings.

Burns did not pitch during Cincinnati’s previous series against Milwaukee. His latest outing was three scoreless innings on 44 pitches against the Dodgers. He allowed no hits or walks and struck out five, although Cincinnati lost 6-3.

Burns has a 2.35 ERA and eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 career innings against Milwaukee. That includes six innings of two-run ball in a Reds victory during early July. His strict innings limit near the end of the season could influence his pitch count or availability, just as Milwaukee may manage Harrison if the young starter receives the start.

Brewers-Reds Broadcast Guide and Radio Information

• Friday, Sept. 11 at 6:45 p.m.: Exclusively televised on Apple TV; listen on the Brewers Radio Network through 620 WTMJ in Milwaukee.
• Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6:10 p.m.: Brewers TV; listen on 620 WTMJ through the Brewers Radio Network.
• Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:10 p.m.: Brewers TV; listen on 620 WTMJ through the Brewers Radio Network.

Brewers vs. Reds Prediction and Series Outlook

Prediction: Brewers win two of three.

Milwaukee’s 10-game division lead, stronger run production, second-ranked team ERA and deeper pitching staff give it the clear edge. Cincinnati’s 196 home runs and successful two-game sweep in Milwaukee mean the Reds can compete, particularly if Abbott or Singer controls the series.

The Brewers’ most practical path is to take one game before Sunday, when Burns presents the series’ most favorable pitching matchup. Even with a possible innings restriction, his season performance and history against Milwaukee make him the strongest individual advantage in the rotation.

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