The Milwaukee Brewers travel to Great American Ball Park on Saturday, August 16, 2025, for a 6:40 PM ET NL Central showdown against the Cincinnati Reds. Both teams are battling for postseason positioning, making this matchup a potential tone-setter for the rest of the series.
See more in-depth MLB betting breakdowns in our MLB Picks section.
Team Analysis
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers continue to thrive with a balanced approach, blending solid pitching with opportunistic hitting. William Contreras has been a consistent force at the plate, while Christian Yelich provides veteran leadership and on-base skills. Milwaukee’s bullpen has been among the league’s best, giving them a strong late-game advantage.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds’ youthful core continues to impress, with Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer bringing energy and power to the lineup. Cincinnati’s aggressive baserunning and home-field advantage at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park make them a dangerous opponent, especially against divisional rivals.
Recent Form
- Brewers: 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.5 runs per contest.
- Reds: 5-5 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.2 runs per contest.
Pitching Matchup
| Team | Pitcher | Hand | W-L | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers | Quinn Priester | RHP | 5-8 | 4.89 |
| Reds | Zack Littell | RHP | 9-5 | 3.72 |
Quinn Priester (MIL) – A developing starter with a heavy sinker, Priester thrives on inducing ground balls but must limit walks to avoid trouble in hitter-friendly parks.
Zack Littell (CIN) – A control specialist who works efficiently and limits hard contact. Littell’s ability to pitch deep into games has been key for the Reds this season.
Key Players to Watch
- MIL: William Contreras – Hitting for average and power, he’s been a clutch performer in big moments.
- MIL: Christian Yelich – Still capable of setting the tone at the top of the lineup.
- CIN: Elly De La Cruz – A dynamic athlete with game-changing speed and power.
- CIN: Spencer Steer – Versatile hitter who consistently drives in runs.
Prediction
This is a closely matched game, but the Reds’ home advantage and Littell’s steady presence give them a slight edge. The Brewers’ bullpen could swing the result if they keep it tight early, but expect Cincinnati’s offense to find a few key hits late.
Final Score Prediction: Reds 5, Brewers 4
Best Bets
- Reds Moneyline – Home advantage and a stronger starting matchup point toward Cincinnati.
- Over 9 Runs – Great American Ball Park is one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in the league.
- Elly De La Cruz to Record a Hit – His athleticism and bat speed make this a high-probability play.
