Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers 9/18/18 MLB Pick

The Reds are the team that can play spoiler this season. In this game, the Cincinnati Reds will be facing off against the Brewers and the Brewers are in the middle of trying to chase down the Cubs for first place. It could be a tall order, but one the Brewers could handle. The Cincinnati Reds, on the other hand, are playing for fun and under the management change made earlier this season have really seemed to establish themselves as one of the teams to beat. While the opening game of the Reds at Brewers series did not open up like the Reds would have hoped, they did realize that the Brewers are coming to play some strong ball, even if it means blanking the Reds.

Cincinnati Reds Overview

The Cincinnati Reds did not start the season out good at all and if they had won a fraction of the early season losses they would be in the middle of the race as well. Coming into this game, though, the Reds are up to 4.45 runs a game and are hitting at a clip of .258. The Reds could definitely use some help with the power as the Reds only have 162 homers on the season which ranks 20th in the majors. The base running could be a lot better for a team with Billy Hamilton as the Reds only have 70 steals on the year.

The pitching for the Reds has the 24th ranked team ERA of 4.71 and for some reason the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff cannot get the quality starts done as the team ranks 28th in the category with only 44 quality starts.

Cincinnati Reds Starter

Heading to the mound to start this game for the Reds it is projected to be Michael Lorenzen. On the year thus far Lorenzen has thrown 67.1 innings in 42 relief appearances and no starts. Lorenzen does have a decent ERA of 3.21 on the year and a 3-1 record, but has struck out only 49 batters.

Milwaukee Brewers Overview

The Brewers are coming in as one of the favorites to win this game and it is easy to see why with the amount of winning the Brewers have already done and the fact the Milwaukee club is facing a reliever turned starter. Throw in the thrashing the Brewers gave the Reds to open the series and it is easy to see the Brewers favored. On the year the Brewers are averaging 4.50 runs a game and are hitting only at .251. The difference in offense comes from the power with the Brewers hitting 197 homers and the Brewers have been able to swipe more bases as well with 115 steals.

When it comes to the pitcher the Milwaukee Brewers have a team ERA of 3.80, but like the Reds the Brewers are struggling in getting quality stars as they have only managed to get 50 quality starts on the year.

Milwaukee Brewers Starter

The starter heading to the mound for the Brewers is projected to be Chase Anderson. The Brewers are sending out a tried and true starter with 29 starts and a total of 154.1 innings. Anderson has only struck out 123 batters for the Brewers, but Anderson has picked up an ERA of 3.85 and has a 9-7 record.

Reds at Brewers Line : Milwaukee Brewers -190  O/U 9

My Free MLB Pick: Milwaukee Brewers -190 (under 9)

While the game is going to go on the under, the Brewers will be the eventual winner. The teams are evenly matched, but the Reds are sending out a converted long reliever to start his first game against a hungry Brewers team. This will cost the Reds the game as Lorenzen will not be able to go deep into the game handing the ball over to a good, but overworked bullpen. Final Score Milwaukee Brewers win and cover 5-1.