Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers 8/24/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Cincinnati Reds will open a series on the road at American Family Field against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Reds are coming off a four-game sweep of the Marlins at home, improving to 69-57 on the season, and have moved into the second wildcard spot after wins in seven of their last ten games. The Brewers have also won seven of their last ten games, and have continued to build their lead in the NL Central to 7.5 games. 

Cincinnati is one of the best offenses in the MLB this season hitting .252 and are scouring 5.06 runs per game, both of which are ranking fifth in the MLB this season. Power hitting first baseman Joey Votto leads the team with 28 homeruns and 81 RBIs, while hitting a solid .280. Votto is top-15 in the MLB in homeruns and RBIs. Nick Castellanos has also continued to produce this season hitting .319, tied for third in the MLB, and has hit 22 homeruns and driven in 70 runs.

The Reds will start with right-hander Tyler Mahle, he’s been solid all season long going 10-4 with a 3.78 ERA. Mahle is coming off a tough start where he allowed five runs on eight hits while striking out just five as the Reds were upset at home by the Cubs. Mahle has continued to develop into solid rotational starter and is coming off the best season of his career in 2020.

Milwaukee has struggled at the plate this season and despite their record, they’re 26th in team batting average hitting .234. Some timely at-bats have allowed the Brewers to score 4.67 runs per game which is just outside the top-10 in scoring offense. Center fielder Avisail Garcia is having a very productive season, leading the team in batting average (.275), homeruns (24), and 73 RBIs. Christian Yelich, the former MVP, has struggled this year hitting just .247 with 8 homeruns and 39 RBIs in 82 games.

The Brewers' ace, Corbin Burnes, will get the start and hopes to continue his dominant season going 8-4 with a 2.13 ERA and sub-1 WHIP in 127 games this season. Burnes is second in the MLB in ERA and WHIp among eligible pitchers and is 5th in the league in strikeouts with 175. Burnes is coming off a scoreless six-inning start where he struck out three and walked two in a 2-0 win over the divisional rival Cardinals.