Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Tuesday June 23 2026
Use Code WWWC Milwaukee visits Cincinnati with updated picks, injury news, and top MLB player props for Tuesday night.
Best Available Odds
Best Moneyline Odds: Milwaukee Brewers (-110 at FanDuel) / Cincinnati Reds (+100 at BetMGM)
Best Spread Odds: Milwaukee Brewers -1.5 (+142 at FanDuel) / Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (-155 at BetMGM)
Best Total Odds: Over 9.5 (-115 at FanDuel) / Under 10.0 (-102 at BetMGM)
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Game Info
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 7:10 PM EDT
Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
TV: Brewers.TV, Reds.TV
Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds Preview
The Milwaukee Brewers enter Tuesday at 47-29 and hold first place in the NL Central. Milwaukee owns a 22-14 road record and has built a five-game lead over its nearest divisional challenger.
The Brewers won Monday's series opener 2-1 in 10 innings. Joey Ortiz drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly before Garrett Mitchell scored on a wild pitch.
Brandon Woodruff delivered six scoreless innings in his return from the injured list. He retired the first 16 Cincinnati hitters, allowed one hit, and recorded 10 strikeouts.
Milwaukee's bullpen protected the scoreless tie through nine innings. Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill combined for three perfect frames before Joel Kuhnel allowed one unearned run in the bottom of the 10th.
The Brewers produced only two hits during regulation, but their season-long offense remains one of baseball's most productive. Milwaukee has scored 399 runs while averaging more than five runs per game.
The lineup creates runs through contact, walks, speed, and situational hitting rather than depending exclusively on home runs. Milwaukee has hit the fewest home runs in the National League but still ranks near the top of MLB in total scoring.
Brice Turang leads the club with a .372 on-base percentage and 56 runs. His combination of patience and speed allows Milwaukee to create immediate pressure near the top of the order.
William Contreras is batting close to .300 and remains one of the league's most productive offensive catchers. Jackson Chourio has supplied additional power and is particularly dangerous against left-handed pitching.
Andrew Vaughn has also provided consistent contact during road games. Jake Bauers, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Ortiz, Mitchell, and rookie Cooper Pratt give Milwaukee enough depth to continue creating scoring opportunities after the top of the order.
The Brewers are still managing several pitching injuries. Logan Henderson remains out with a back strain, Jared Koenig is recovering from a UCL sprain, and Quinn Priester will miss the remainder of the season following thoracic outlet surgery.
Brandon Sproat is listed to start despite leaving his previous appearance with right hamstring cramping. Sproat described the problem as minor and remained on schedule for Tuesday's game.
The Cincinnati Reds enter at 37-40 and remain at the bottom of the NL Central. Cincinnati owns a 19-20 home record and now trails Milwaukee by 10.5 games.
The Reds generated only two hits and struck out 14 times Monday. Tyler Stephenson recorded their first hit with a sixth-inning single, while Dane Myers added an infield single during the 10th.
Sal Stewart drove in Cincinnati's only run with a groundout. The Reds failed to produce an extra-base hit and did not place a runner in scoring position until the automatic runner entered during extra innings.
The lineup receives an important addition Tuesday with Elly De La Cruz returning from a right hamstring strain. Cincinnati activated its star shortstop after a three-game rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Louisville.
De La Cruz was batting .280 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, and 10 stolen bases before the injury. His return adds power, speed, and another switch-hitting threat to a lineup that struggled throughout his absence.
Sal Stewart leads the Reds with 14 home runs. Spencer Steer has added 12, while Eugenio Suárez, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain, JJ Bleday, and Stephenson provide additional power around De La Cruz.
Cincinnati averages approximately 4.2 runs per game but allows close to 4.8. The difference between those figures helps explain why the Reds have remained below .500 despite several productive individual hitters.
The Reds continue to operate without several important pitchers. Hunter Greene is progressing through a rehabilitation assignment following elbow surgery, while Graham Ashcraft remains on the 60-day injured list with a UCL sprain.
Closer Emilio Pagán is also unavailable with a hamstring strain. Ke'Bryan Hayes remains sidelined by a back injury, reducing Cincinnati's infield depth even with De La Cruz returning.
Starting Pitchers and Pitching Matchup
The Brewers will start right-hander Brandon Sproat, who enters at 1-4 with a 5.94 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts across 14 appearances.
Sproat has experienced significant volatility during his first full major-league season. He has completed more than five innings in only four of his 14 appearances, including 12 starts.
The right-hander has a 6.26 ERA over his last five appearances. He has averaged only 4.1 innings during that stretch, placing additional pressure on Milwaukee's bullpen.
Sproat allowed four earned runs across 3.2 innings against Cleveland during his latest start. He surrendered only two hits but issued two walks and allowed a home run.
The outing ended early because of hamstring cramping. Sproat had recorded six strikeouts on only 65 pitches before leaving, demonstrating that his swing-and-miss ability remained intact.
His previous start was considerably better. Sproat allowed one earned run on four hits over six innings against the Athletics while issuing one walk.
The rookie has recorded 63 strikeouts and averages approximately one strikeout per inning. His fastball and secondary pitches can generate empty swings, but inconsistent command and elevated pitch counts have prevented him from regularly working deep.
Cincinnati's lineup presents a combination of opportunity and danger. The Reds struck out 14 times Monday, but De La Cruz's return adds a hitter capable of changing the game through one swing or an extra base.
Sproat must also manage Stewart, Steer, McLain, Suárez, Marte, and Stephenson. Great American Ball Park increases the potential cost of walks or pitches left over the middle of the plate.
Milwaukee's bullpen gives Sproat meaningful protection. Brewers relievers own an ERA close to 3.40 with a WHIP near 1.20, giving manager Pat Murphy several options if the rookie exits during the fourth or fifth inning.
The Reds counter with left-hander Nick Lodolo, who enters at 2-2 with a 6.12 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts across 42.2 innings.
Lodolo's strikeout production has declined considerably. He averages only 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings after entering the season with a career rate closer to 9.7.
The left-hander has also issued more walks and allowed more consistent contact. His expected ERA and fielding-independent pitching numbers both remain near six.
Lodolo is coming off his worst start of the season. He allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits and two walks across 4.2 innings against the New York Mets.
He recorded only two strikeouts and required 90 pitches to secure 14 outs. New York repeatedly placed the ball in play and created scoring opportunities without needing home runs.
Lodolo allowed four earned runs on 10 hits across five innings two starts earlier against St. Louis. He has surrendered 22 hits and 11 earned runs during two of his last three appearances.
His five-start ERA stands at 5.53, with opponents averaging more than seven hits per game. Lodolo has completed six innings twice during that stretch but has also been removed before the sixth in three appearances.
The matchup is not entirely negative. Lodolo has pitched effectively during his previous three starts against Milwaukee, allowing four earned runs across 18 innings.
Christian Yelich has struggled in the matchup, while Lodolo's ability to change speeds and create ground balls can limit a Brewers lineup that does not rely heavily on home-run power.
Chourio creates the greatest individual threat. The right-handed outfielder has produced elite numbers against left-handed pitching and should bat near the top of Milwaukee's order.
Contreras, Vaughn, Ortiz, Pratt, and the remaining right-handed Brewers also receive the platoon advantage. Milwaukee can construct a lineup designed to keep Lodolo under pressure throughout his appearance.
Cincinnati's bullpen creates an additional concern once Lodolo exits. Reds relievers have allowed more than five runs per nine innings collectively and carry a WHIP near 1.50.
The absence of Pagán and Ashcraft removes two experienced late-inning options. Cincinnati used four relievers Monday, although none threw more than one inning.
Game Thesis: Milwaukee owns the superior lineup, bullpen, record, and defensive profile. De La Cruz's return significantly improves Cincinnati's upset potential, while Sproat's limited workload makes the Brewers difficult to trust on an expensive run line. Lodolo's declining strikeout rate and recent contact problems give Milwaukee the clearer path to sustained scoring, making the Brewers moneyline the strongest game wager. Both starters remain vulnerable enough to support the Over despite the 2-1 result in Monday's opener.
⭐ Best Bet - Moneyline Pick: Milwaukee Brewers (-110)
Milwaukee is the strongest moneyline selection at the near-even price. The Brewers have won 47 of their first 76 games and possess meaningful advantages in scoring, pitching, bullpen performance, and overall depth.
Lodolo's recent form creates the clearest matchup edge. He allowed 11 hits and seven earned runs during his latest appearance and has produced an expected ERA above six.
The Brewers can create contact throughout the lineup. Lodolo's diminished strikeout rate makes it more difficult for him to escape innings once Turang, Chourio, Contreras, Vaughn, or the remaining Milwaukee hitters reach base.
Milwaukee also receives the platoon advantage with several important right-handed bats. Chourio, Contreras, Vaughn, Ortiz, and Pratt should receive favourable matchups against Lodolo.
Sproat is not dependable enough to create a major starting-pitching advantage. His hamstring issue, 5.94 ERA, and short average workload give Cincinnati a realistic path to four or five runs.
The bullpen difference becomes decisive if both starters exit early. Milwaukee has several established high-leverage relievers, while Cincinnati is missing Pagán and Ashcraft.
De La Cruz's return prevents this from being a comfortable matchup. He immediately improves the top of Cincinnati's order and can punish Sproat's command mistakes.
The price still favours Milwaukee. The Brewers are the better team and need only win the game rather than create a multi-run margin.
Spread Pick: Milwaukee Brewers -1.5 (+142)
Milwaukee -1.5 offers attractive plus-money upside, but it carries substantially more risk than the moneyline. The Brewers have won many games through pitching, defence, and situational hitting rather than large offensive totals.
Monday's 2-1 victory demonstrated that style. Milwaukee did not score until the 10th inning but remained alive through strong starting pitching and a dominant bullpen.
Lodolo gives the Brewers a clearer opportunity to create early separation Tuesday. He has allowed at least four earned runs in three of his last four starts and is backed by a vulnerable relief staff.
If Milwaukee forces Lodolo out before the sixth inning, the Reds may need to expose the middle of their bullpen to Chourio, Contreras, Vaughn, Turang, and the remaining order.
Sproat's limited workload creates the primary danger. He has averaged only 4.1 innings over his last five appearances and may be monitored after leaving his previous start with hamstring cramping.
Cincinnati can also create late scoring through De La Cruz, Stewart, Steer, Suárez, Marte, and Stephenson. The return of its best offensive player makes the Reds more dangerous than their Monday lineup.
Milwaukee has enough offensive and bullpen strength to win by multiple runs, but the run line should be treated as a higher-variance extension of the moneyline.
Scores such as 7-4, 6-3, or 8-5 would produce the Milwaukee cover while remaining consistent with the starters' recent performances.
Total Pick: Over 9.5 (-115)
The Over 9.5 is the preferred total despite Monday's low-scoring opener. The pitching matchup is dramatically less reliable than the Woodruff-Brady Singer pairing.
Sproat carries a 5.94 ERA and has allowed at least three earned runs in four of his last five appearances. He has also completed more than five innings only four times this season.
Cincinnati should produce more competitive at-bats with De La Cruz returning. His speed, power, and ability to reach base give the Reds another way to create runs before reaching Milwaukee's bullpen.
Lodolo enters with a 6.12 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. He has allowed 22 hits across two recent starts and has not consistently generated enough strikeouts to prevent long innings.
Milwaukee averages more than five runs per game and enters with a projected team total above five. The Brewers do not need a large home-run performance to pressure Lodolo and Cincinnati's bullpen.
Great American Ball Park also increases the value of elevated contact. Both starters have allowed home runs during recent outings, and several hitters on each side can punish mistakes.
Milwaukee's bullpen creates the strongest argument against the Over. Brewers relievers have been among the team's greatest strengths and allowed no runs during the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings Monday.
Lodolo's previous success against Milwaukee creates another concern. He has generally controlled the Brewers during their earlier meetings and could produce a rebound performance.
The current total accounts for much of the pitching risk, but both teams possess realistic paths to four or more runs. A final score around 6-5, 7-4, or 7-5 would clear the number.
Top Player Prop Picks
Nick Lodolo Over 5.5 Hits Allowed (-135 at BetMGM) Lodolo has allowed 59 hits across 42.2 innings, producing a 1.59 WHIP and forcing Cincinnati to frequently pitch with runners on base.
The left-hander surrendered 11 hits to the Mets during his latest appearance. He also allowed 10 hits against St. Louis two starts earlier.
Lodolo has allowed an average of 7.4 hits across his last five starts. He has reached six innings only twice during that stretch but has still permitted enough contact to clear this line in three appearances.
His reduced strikeout production is critical. Lodolo is averaging only 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings, forcing him to record a larger percentage of outs through balls in play.
Milwaukee is well equipped to exploit that profile. Turang, Chourio, Contreras, Vaughn, Frelick, Yelich, Ortiz, and Pratt can create contact throughout the order.
The Brewers also have several right-handed hitters available against the left-hander. Six hits across five innings is a realistic outcome even if Lodolo avoids a major scoring collapse.
Jackson Chourio Over 1.5 Total Bases (-116 at DraftKings) Chourio receives one of the strongest individual matchups in Milwaukee's lineup. The right-handed outfielder has produced a .398 weighted on-base average and .229 isolated-power mark against left-handed pitching.
His production against lefties translates to a 156 weighted runs-created-plus figure, meaning he has created offense at a rate more than 50% above league average in those matchups.
Lodolo has struggled to limit contact and enters after allowing 11 hits to the Mets. His reduced strikeout rate should give Chourio multiple opportunities to put the ball in play.
Chourio should also bat near the top of Milwaukee's order, giving him the potential to receive five plate appearances if the game produces the expected scoring environment.
One double, triple, or home run would clear the line. Chourio can also cash the prop through two singles.
The total-bases market offers better value than an expensive one-hit prop. Chourio's platoon advantage and extra-base ability justify the modest price.
Brandon Sproat Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-122) Sproat has recorded 63 strikeouts across 14 appearances, averaging 4.5 per game despite frequently working fewer than five innings.
He struck out six hitters across only 3.2 innings during his latest start. The early exit was caused by hamstring cramping rather than pitch count or ineffective swing-and-miss production.
Sproat has reached at least five strikeouts in several short appearances, including a seven-strikeout performance across four innings against the Dodgers.
Cincinnati struck out 14 times in Monday's opener. Woodruff accounted for 10 of those strikeouts before Milwaukee's bullpen added four.
De La Cruz's return improves the Reds offensively, but Cincinnati still has several hitters with elevated strikeout rates. Stewart, Suárez, Marte, Steer, and the bottom of the order provide Sproat with opportunities.
The hamstring remains the greatest risk. Sproat must stay healthy and work approximately four or five innings to produce enough chances.
His recent strikeout form supports the Over even without a deep outing. Five strikeouts would cash the market, and Sproat demonstrated during his previous start that he can reach that number quickly.
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