Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Wednesday June 24 2026
Use Code WWWC The Milwaukee Brewers look to continue their dominant run at Great American Ball Park on June 24, 2026, as they face off against the division rival Cincinnati Reds in an intriguing National League Central matchup featuring a breakdown of the best betting picks and player props. This preview analyzes the starting pitchers, recent offensive form, and top MLB player props for Wednesday night's series finale.
Best Available Odds
Best Moneyline Odds: Milwaukee Brewers (-130 at Fanatics) / Cincinnati Reds (+122 at DraftKings)
Best Spread Odds: Milwaukee Brewers -1.5 (+120 at BetMGM) / Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (-135 at BetMGM)
Best Total Odds: Over 9.5 (-105 at Fanatics) / Under 9.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Game Info
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 7:10 PM EDT
Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
TV: Reds.TV, Brewers.TV Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook
Weather: Approximately 79 degrees, minimal rain risk, and light wind
Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds Preview
The Milwaukee Brewers enter Wednesday at 48-29 after winning the first two games of this three-game series. Milwaukee earned a 2-1 victory in 10 innings Monday before shutting out Cincinnati 2-0 Tuesday.
The Brewers have won three consecutive games overall and continue to hold one of the strongest records in the National League. Their advantage in the NL Central has been built through pitching depth, defense, offensive balance, and one of baseball's more reliable bullpens.
Milwaukee's pitching has completely controlled the first two games in Cincinnati. The Brewers have held the Reds to two hits in consecutive contests while allowing no earned runs across 19 innings.
Cincinnati has also failed to draw a walk during the series. Milwaukee pitchers have recorded 27 strikeouts while forcing the Reds to generate nearly every scoring opportunity through contact.
Brandon Woodruff carried a perfect game into the sixth inning Monday. Brandon Sproat followed by taking a no-hitter into the sixth Tuesday and finished with 10 strikeouts across six scoreless innings.
Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill completed Tuesday's combined two-hit shutout. Megill earned his 10th save after retiring all three hitters he faced during the ninth.
The Brewers have now received five consecutive quality starts. That run has reduced the workload on a bullpen that already ranks among the stronger relief groups in baseball.
Milwaukee's offense has not been nearly as dominant as its pitching during this series. The Brewers have scored only four runs across 19 innings and collected five hits during Tuesday's victory.
Jake Bauers delivered the decisive hit Tuesday with a two-out RBI triple during the sixth inning. Andrew Vaughn added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Bauers leads Milwaukee with 13 home runs and remains one of the lineup's most dangerous sources of left-handed power. His ability to drive the ball gives the Brewers a favourable matchup against a right-handed starter who has struggled with elevated contact.
Brice Turang collected another hit Tuesday and continues to provide a combination of contact, walks, power, and speed near the top of the order.
Turang enters batting approximately .266 with an on-base percentage above .370 and 11 home runs. His improvement against right-handed pitching has helped turn him into one of Milwaukee's most complete offensive players.
Jackson Chourio also enters in strong form. He is batting close to .300 with a slugging percentage above .500 and remains capable of producing both home runs and extra-base damage into the gaps.
Chourio broke up Nick Lodolo's no-hit attempt Tuesday with a line-drive single that struck the Cincinnati starter on the wrist. Lodolo remained in the game temporarily but exited after the fourth inning with a contusion.
William Contreras gives Milwaukee another dependable hitter behind Turang and Chourio. Contreras enters batting approximately .295 and continues to combine contact with strong plate discipline.
Christian Yelich remains an important part of the lineup, although his current batting average is closer to .263 than the .295 figure listed in the original draft.
Yelich has supplied five home runs and a .338 on-base percentage. His ability to reach base and attack right-handed pitching remains useful even if his current production is below his strongest career levels.
Andrew Vaughn has provided another productive right-handed bat. His walk and sacrifice fly contributed directly to both Milwaukee runs Tuesday.
Cooper Pratt was recalled from Triple-A Nashville before Tuesday's game after Milwaukee released Luis Rengifo. Pratt went hitless but drew a walk during his return to the major-league lineup.
The Brewers remain without several pitchers. Quinn Priester underwent season-ending thoracic outlet surgery, while Coleman Crow and DL Hall are also on the injured list.
Jared Koenig is nearing the end of a minor-league rehabilitation assignment but has not yet been fully restored to Milwaukee's late-inning relief group.
Despite those absences, the Brewers bullpen owns an ERA around 3.58. Uribe, Megill, Ashby, Grant Anderson, and the remaining available relievers give Milwaukee a clear late-game advantage.
Uribe and Megill both worked Tuesday but faced only three hitters each. Their limited pitch counts should leave the primary Milwaukee relievers available for the series finale.
The Cincinnati Reds enter at 37-41 after losing the first two games of the series. The Reds have fallen into last place in the NL Central and are trying to prevent Milwaukee from completing a road sweep.
Cincinnati's offense has produced only four hits during the series. The Reds have scored one unearned run across 19 innings and have not recorded an extra-base hit.
The offensive struggles are especially surprising after Cincinnati scored 14 combined runs during consecutive victories over the New York Yankees before returning home.
The Reds have been unable to carry that production into the Milwaukee series. Woodruff and Sproat consistently worked ahead, generated swings and misses, and prevented Cincinnati from creating traffic.
Elly De La Cruz returned from the injured list Tuesday after missing more than three weeks with a right hamstring strain. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
De La Cruz entered his return batting approximately .280 with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, and an OPS above .850.
His return gives Cincinnati its most dynamic combination of power and speed. The Reds still need to determine whether the hamstring injury affects his aggressiveness on the bases or his ability to produce consistently from both sides of the plate.
Sal Stewart has become Cincinnati's leading home-run hitter with 14. The young first baseman has supplied power and run production despite an inconsistent overall batting average.
Stewart should receive a favourable platoon matchup against the left-handed Drohan. His ability to punish fastballs and elevated breaking pitches makes him one of Cincinnati's most important hitters Wednesday.
Eugenio Suárez provides another significant right-handed power threat. Great American Ball Park gives him an opportunity to turn pulled fly balls into home runs against a left-handed starter.
Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain, Tyler Stephenson, and Nathaniel Lowe give Cincinnati additional right-handed or switch-hitting options against Drohan.
The lineup appears better constructed to face a left-hander than it was against Milwaukee's first two starters. Cincinnati can load the batting order with right-handed hitters and reduce Drohan's natural platoon advantage.
The Reds must still demonstrate that they can control the strike zone. Cincinnati has struck out 27 times without drawing a walk during the series.
That approach has allowed Milwaukee pitchers to work efficiently and avoid high-stress innings. The Reds need De La Cruz, McLain, Stewart, Suárez, and the remaining hitters to force Drohan into deeper counts.
Cincinnati remains without Ke'Bryan Hayes, who is sidelined by a lumbar disk issue. Hunter Greene is progressing through a rehabilitation assignment following elbow surgery but is not available for Wednesday's game.
Graham Ashcraft remains on the 60-day injured list with a UCL sprain. Closer Emilio Pagán is also unavailable because of a hamstring injury.
Pagán's absence has forced Cincinnati to use Tony Santillan and other relievers in late-game situations. Santillan carries an ERA above 5.00, reducing the Reds' ability to protect narrow leads.
The Cincinnati bullpen owns an ERA around 4.80, placing it near the bottom of the league. That creates a meaningful disadvantage if Lowder cannot pitch beyond the fifth or sixth inning.
Julian Garcia made his major-league debut Tuesday after Lodolo exited. Garcia worked into the sixth inning before allowing Milwaukee's first run.
Caleb Ferguson and Chase Petty also appeared. Cincinnati therefore used several middle relievers but should still have Santillan, Brock Burke, Sam Moll, and recently activated Pierce Johnson available.
Starting Pitchers and Pitching Matchup
The Brewers will start left-hander Shane Drohan, who enters at 3-2 with a 3.40 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts across 47.2 innings.
Drohan has become a reliable five-inning option for Milwaukee. He has provided competitive starts without requiring the Brewers to expose him to opposing lineups four times.
His 3.17 fielding-independent pitching mark supports the quality of his ERA. Drohan has limited damaging contact while recording close to one strikeout per inning.
The left-hander is coming off five innings against Cleveland. He allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks while recording three strikeouts.
Drohan needed 91 pitches to complete those five innings. The walks and extended counts prevented him from pitching deeper despite limiting Cleveland's contact.
His workload has generally remained around five innings. Milwaukee appears comfortable turning the game over to its bullpen once Drohan approaches the third trip through an opposing lineup.
Drohan has allowed four home runs this season. His overall home-run prevention has been strong, but right-handed hitters have produced more power against him than left-handed batters.
That split is relevant at Great American Ball Park. The venue consistently increases home-run potential, particularly on pulled fly balls that would remain in play at larger stadiums.
Cincinnati can attack with De La Cruz, Stewart, Suárez, Steer, Marte, McLain, and Stephenson from the right side.
Suárez represents the clearest individual home-run threat. Drohan has allowed all of his home runs to right-handed hitters, while Suárez possesses the launch angle required to exploit Cincinnati's short outfield dimensions.
Stewart also creates a dangerous matchup. Drohan cannot afford to place free runners aboard before facing the Reds' leading home-run hitter.
De La Cruz adds another complication. Although he struggled during his return Tuesday, his ability to drive the ball from the right side can punish mistakes from a left-handed starter.
Drohan's strikeout production gives Milwaukee a path through those matchups. He has recorded 47 strikeouts across 47.2 innings and now faces a lineup that struck out 27 times during the first two games.
The Reds cannot assume that loading the lineup with right-handed hitters will automatically solve their contact problems. Drohan can generate swings and misses with both his fastball and breaking pitches.
This will be Drohan's first career appearance against Cincinnati. The Reds therefore have no meaningful direct matchup history to use in preparing for his pitch sequence.
The unfamiliarity can favour Drohan during the first trip through the order. Cincinnati may need several innings to identify how he is using his pitches against right-handed hitters.
Control remains the primary variable. Drohan has issued 14 walks and allowed three during his latest start.
If he provides free baserunners, Great American Ball Park can quickly turn one mistake into a multi-run inning. Milwaukee needs him to continue the aggressive strike-throwing demonstrated by Woodruff and Sproat.
The Brewers should have their primary bullpen available behind him. Five competitive innings from Drohan would allow Milwaukee to use Ashby, Uribe, Megill, or other preferred relievers to cover the remainder.
The Reds will counter with right-hander Rhett Lowder, who enters at 3-4 with a 4.82 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts across 52.1 innings.
Lowder's season has been considerably more difficult than his 2024 debut. He produced a 1.17 ERA across six starts during that initial major-league opportunity.
The former seventh overall draft pick missed the 2025 major-league season because of injuries. His command, strikeout production, and contact management have all been less consistent since returning.
Lowder has made 11 starts in 2026. His 4.46 fielding-independent pitching mark is slightly better than his ERA but does not suggest that his current results are entirely caused by poor luck.
He has issued 28 walks across 52.1 innings. That elevated walk rate has repeatedly created scoring opportunities and forced him to pitch with runners aboard.
Lowder's 1.45 WHIP is substantially higher than Drohan's 1.17. Milwaukee should be able to apply pressure through a combination of walks, singles, and extra-base contact.
The right-hander struggled during his latest start against the Yankees. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and three walks across 5.1 innings.
Lowder recorded five strikeouts but surrendered home runs to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice during the second inning.
The two home runs were damaging, but Lowder identified the walks as the larger issue. He reached two-strike counts and then failed to finish several hitters before allowing the inning to continue.
Milwaukee is well positioned to exploit that weakness. Turang, Contreras, Yelich, Bauers, and Vaughn can all extend plate appearances and refuse pitches outside the zone.
The Brewers also possess several left-handed hitters. Turang, Yelich, Bauers, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and David Hamilton can receive the platoon advantage if they are included in the final lineup.
Lowder has experienced significant difficulty against left-handed contact. His recent underlying results against lefties include elevated hard-hit, barrel, and expected slugging figures.
Turang provides the most important matchup near the top of the order. Lowder has allowed left-handed hitters to elevate the ball frequently, while Turang has produced career-high power.
Yelich and Bauers add more left-handed pressure behind him. Lowder must avoid falling behind and becoming dependent on fastballs inside the strike zone.
Chourio and Contreras remain dangerous even without the platoon advantage. Both can handle velocity and drive mistakes to all fields.
Lowder has one career appearance against Milwaukee, which came during his major-league debut on August 30, 2024.
He allowed one run on two hits and four walks over four innings while recording six strikeouts. The performance provides little predictive value because of the small sample and changes to both rosters.
The original draft's batter-versus-pitcher claims should not control the handicap. Turang did not produce the described 2-for-2 record, and most current Milwaukee hitters have no meaningful history against Lowder.
His current command, platoon splits, and recent form provide much stronger evidence. Lowder must reduce the walks and keep the ball on the ground to avoid an early exit.
Cincinnati needs length from him after Lodolo completed only four innings Tuesday. Another abbreviated start would force the Reds to depend heavily on a bullpen carrying an ERA near 4.80.
Game Thesis: Milwaukee owns the stronger overall team, the more reliable starting pitcher, and the superior bullpen. Cincinnati's right-handed hitters create legitimate danger against Drohan at Great American Ball Park, especially with De La Cruz back in the lineup. The Reds have still produced only four hits and no earned runs during the series, while Lowder's walk rate and vulnerability to left-handed contact create a favourable matchup for Turang, Yelich, and Bauers. Milwaukee should complete the sweep, but the first two games and the quality of the Brewers bullpen make Under 9.5 preferable to the original high-scoring thesis.
⭐ Best Bet - Moneyline Pick: Milwaukee Brewers (-130)
Milwaukee is the strongest side at a manageable favourite price. The Brewers hold advantages in recent form, starting-pitcher stability, bullpen performance, and overall roster depth.
Drohan enters with a 3.40 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He has become a dependable five-inning starter and is backed by a bullpen carrying an ERA around 3.58.
Lowder owns a 4.82 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. His 28 walks across 52.1 innings create a difficult matchup against a Milwaukee lineup capable of combining patience with extra-base power.
The Brewers should receive repeated opportunities with runners aboard. Turang, Contreras, Yelich, Bauers, Vaughn, and Chourio give Milwaukee several hitters who can convert those opportunities.
Cincinnati's bullpen strengthens the Milwaukee position. The Reds carry a relief ERA around 4.80 and remain without closer Pagán.
If Lowder exits after five innings, Milwaukee should receive several plate appearances against a relief group that lacks Cincinnati's preferred late-game structure.
The Reds remain capable of producing an offensive response. De La Cruz has returned, and the lineup can feature numerous right-handed hitters against Drohan.
and the lineup can featureGreat American Ball Park also reduces the margin for pitching mistakes. One elevated pitch to Suárez, Stewart, De La Cruz, or Steer could quickly change the game.
Cincinnati has not shown enough current plate discipline to make that possibility the more likely outcome. The Reds have struck out 27 times without drawing a walk during the series.
Milwaukee's ability to prevent free baserunners has allowed its pitchers to work aggressively. Drohan does not need to reproduce Sproat's 10-strikeout performance to keep Cincinnati under control.
The Brewers are also attempting to complete a road sweep and maintain their commanding position in the division. Their stronger late-game pitching provides an advantage if the game remains close through six innings.
A projected score around 5-3 gives Milwaukee a clear but not overwhelming advantage. The -130 price offers the best balance of probability and return.
Spread Pick: Milwaukee Brewers -1.5 (+120)
Milwaukee -1.5 is the preferred run-line position at a plus-money price. The Brewers have several paths to creating separation during the middle and late innings.
Lowder's walk rate can place multiple runners aboard without Milwaukee needing to generate repeated hard contact. One extra-base hit from Turang, Chourio, Contreras, Bauers, or Yelich could produce a multi-run inning.
The bullpen matchup becomes even more favourable after Lowder exits. Milwaukee relievers own a substantial ERA advantage and have controlled Cincinnati throughout the series.
The Reds have scored one run across the first two games. They have not produced an extra-base hit or drawn a walk.
That offensive performance makes it difficult for Cincinnati to build a large lead. Even modest Milwaukee production could be enough to create a two-run final margin.
Drohan remains the primary risk. Cincinnati's projected lineup can contain several right-handed power hitters, and Great American Ball Park rewards elevated contact.
Milwaukee has also scored only four runs during the series. The Brewers have not consistently punished Cincinnati's starting pitchers despite winning both games.
Lowder possesses enough talent to deliver a rebound performance. His ground-ball ability can limit Milwaukee if he throws strikes and keeps his sinker below the barrel.
The +120 price compensates for those concerns. Milwaukee does not need another shutout to cover the run line.
Final scores such as 5-3, 4-2, or 6-3 support a two-run Brewers victory. The superior bullpen gives Milwaukee a strong opportunity to add insurance after Lowder leaves the game.
Total Pick: Under 9.5 (-110)
Under 9.5 is preferable to the original Over recommendation. The current number requires the teams to combine for at least 10 runs after producing five total runs across the first two games.
Cincinnati has been held to four hits during the series. The Reds have scored one unearned run and have not drawn a walk.
Milwaukee's pitching is operating at an exceptionally high level. The Brewers have received five consecutive quality starts and own one of baseball's stronger bullpens.
Drohan has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his recent starts. He carries a 3.40 ERA and has surrendered only four home runs across 47.2 innings.
The Reds can construct a right-handed lineup against him, but they must first demonstrate that they can produce contact. Their 27 strikeouts during the series create substantial risk for an Over wager.
Lowder's recent form provides the strongest argument for a high-scoring game. He allowed four runs, two home runs, and three walks during his latest start.
His 1.45 WHIP could allow Milwaukee to score four or five runs. The Brewers also receive the platoon advantage through several left-handed hitters.
Milwaukee's own offense has not been dominant, however. The Brewers scored two runs in each of the first two games and have produced only nine total hits during the series.
Great American Ball Park remains a home-run-friendly venue. The warm weather and short dimensions mean one or two swings could quickly place the total in danger.
The 9.5-run line provides room for that volatility. A 5-4 final would still cash the Under, while a 6-3 or 5-3 result would remain comfortably below the number.
Both bullpens also favour a lower-scoring conclusion once Milwaukee gains a lead. The Brewers can use Uribe, Ashby, Megill, and other trusted relievers to shorten the game.
Cincinnati's bullpen is less reliable, but the Brewers would need to produce a large portion of the 10 required runs if the Reds' offensive slump continues.
The market appears to be placing significant weight on the ballpark and Lowder's recent struggles. The first two games and Milwaukee's pitching depth provide stronger reasons to take Under 9.5.
Top Player Prop Picks
Brice Turang Over 1.5 Total Bases (+106) Turang enters batting approximately .266 with a .374 on-base percentage and .457 slugging percentage.
He has developed substantially more power this season, producing 11 home runs while continuing to reach base at a strong rate.
The left-handed hitter receives the platoon advantage against Lowder. That matchup is especially important because Lowder has struggled to control elevated contact from lefties.
Lowder's recent underlying results against left-handed hitters include a high hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and expected slugging percentage.
Turang should bat near the top of Milwaukee's order and receive four or five plate appearances. That volume provides several ways to reach two total bases.
One double, triple, or home run would immediately clear the prop. Turang can also cash the Over through two singles.
Great American Ball Park supports his developing power. Pulled fly balls and line drives have a better chance of producing extra-base damage than they would in several larger stadiums.
Lowder's walk problems do not directly count toward total bases, but they can force him to throw more predictable pitches inside the strike zone.
Turang also has the opportunity to face Cincinnati's bullpen after Lowder exits. The Reds' relief staff carries an ERA around 4.80.
The original hits, runs, and RBIs market required Turang to benefit from teammates before and after him. Total bases isolates his own contact and power at a more appealing plus-money price.
Rhett Lowder Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-152 at DraftKings) Lowder has recorded 42 strikeouts across 52.1 innings, equivalent to approximately 7.2 per nine innings.
The current prop requires him to record at least five strikeouts. He reached five during his latest start against the Yankees but needed 5.1 innings to get there.
Lowder has struggled to generate chases and empty swings. His whiff and chase rates both rank near the bottom of the league.
Milwaukee has become one of the more difficult lineups to strike out against right-handed pitching. The Brewers combine strong contact rates with several hitters capable of extending at-bats.
Turang, Contreras, Yelich, Vaughn, Bauers, and Frelick are not automatic strikeout targets. They can force Lowder to record outs through contact.
Walks also create a workload problem. Lowder has issued 28 across 52.1 innings and walked three Yankees during his latest start.
Each extended plate appearance increases the possibility that Cincinnati removes him before the sixth inning. The Reds may also remain cautious after he missed the entire 2025 major-league season.
Lowder has recorded five or more strikeouts in several home starts, so the Under is not without risk. Milwaukee can also include power hitters with meaningful swing-and-miss tendencies.
The matchup and Lowder's underlying miss rates still favour four or fewer strikeouts. He can produce five competitive innings without reaching the required total.
Shane Drohan Over 5.5 Strikeouts (+125) Drohan has recorded 47 strikeouts across 47.2 innings, placing his season average close to nine per nine innings.
He requires six strikeouts to clear the listed prop. The plus-money price reflects his usual five-inning workload and the possibility that Milwaukee removes him before he faces the lineup a third time.
Cincinnati's current swing-and-miss form creates the primary Over argument. The Reds have struck out 27 times during the first two games of the series.
They recorded 13 strikeouts Tuesday after struggling to make consistent contact against both Sproat and Milwaukee's bullpen.
De La Cruz struck out twice during his return. Suárez, Marte, Stewart, and several other potential right-handed hitters also carry meaningful strikeout rates.
Drohan has enough swing-and-miss ability to take advantage. He has recorded close to one strikeout per inning and can generate outs with both his fastball and secondary pitches.
The unfamiliar matchup may also help him. Drohan has never faced the current Cincinnati roster, giving hitters limited direct experience with his delivery and sequencing.
His workload creates the main concern. Drohan recorded only three strikeouts during his latest five-inning start and needed 91 pitches to complete the outing.
Walks or extended at-bats could again prevent him from reaching six innings. Cincinnati's right-handed lineup may also put more balls in play than it did against Milwaukee's first two starters.
The +125 return compensates for those risks. Six strikeouts across five or six innings is a realistic target against a lineup that has struggled badly to make contact throughut the series.
Never Tried Winners and Whiners? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code DOLLAR
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
- Check out more MLB predictions
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
