NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
The Cincinnati Reds visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night at American Family Field, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM ET on WSTR. Cincinnati comes in at 39-43 and fifth in the NL Central, while Milwaukee is 50-31 and still leading the division. The Reds are trying to bounce back from Sunday’s loss in Pittsburgh, while the Brewers are trying to stop a two-game skid after dropping their weekend series to the Cubs.
This is a division game with a strange setup. Milwaukee has been getting excellent starting pitching, but the offense has not been finishing innings. The Brewers went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position in Sunday’s 4-3 extra-inning loss to Chicago, and that has been a theme lately.
Nick Lodolo starts for Cincinnati with a 2-2 record and 5.59 ERA. Robert Gasser starts for Milwaukee at 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA. American Family Field removes most weather concerns because of the roof, so this Monday MLB previews matchup comes down to left-handed pitching, lineup health, and whether Milwaukee can finally cash in with runners on base.
Find value on the diamond.
Check our MLB picks.
Cincinnati Reds vs Milwaukee Brewers Odds
These are the current betting lines for Reds vs Brewers, and bettors should always monitor the latest MLB odds before placing a wager.
| Team | Moneyline | Run Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds | +129 | +1.5 (-169) | O 8.5 (-117) |
| Milwaukee Brewers | -153 | -1.5 (+141) | U 8.5 (-104) |
Cincinnati Reds Betting Form
The Reds are still inconsistent, but they did not leave Pittsburgh empty. They lost 9-4 on Sunday, yet they took the series and showed again that their offense can pop when the power bats get involved. The concern is health. Eugenio Suárez took a pitch off the hand Sunday, while Elly De La Cruz is also dealing with an ankle issue. You can follow more of the Cincinnati Reds stats and results as they open this four-game series.
Lodolo is the most important part of Cincinnati’s upset case. His season ERA is ugly, but his last outing against Milwaukee was much better. He threw four scoreless innings, allowed only two hits, walked one, and struck out six before leaving after a comebacker hit his pitching wrist. If the wrist response is clean, he gives the Reds a real first-five chance.
The lineup has power, but the possible Suárez and De La Cruz limitations change the ceiling. Sal Stewart, Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Tyler Stephenson, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, and Will Benson can still create damage, but Cincinnati needs its best run creators available to pressure Gasser. Emilio Pagán, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Tony Santillan, Hunter Greene, Aaron Fossas, Graham Ashcraft, Brandon Williamson, and Blake Dunn are out.
Milwaukee Brewers Betting Form
The Brewers are still in control of the NL Central, but they are coming off a frustrating weekend. Milwaukee lost two straight after a five-game winning streak, and Sunday’s loss to Chicago was the type that sticks because the Brewers had multiple chances to win it. The Milwaukee Brewers schedule and stats show a first-place team with elite pitching, but the offense needs cleaner situational at-bats.
Gasser gives Milwaukee a playable starter profile. His 4.50 ERA does not jump off the page, but he has been better lately, allowing only two runs across his last two starts while striking out 12. Against a Reds lineup that may be short-handed, he has a good chance to keep the game under control.
The Brewers’ lineup should be better than it looked Sunday. William Contreras, Christian Yelich, Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio, Andrew Vaughn, Gary Sánchez, Joey Ortiz, Cooper Pratt, and Caleb Durbin give Milwaukee contact, speed, and on-base ability. The issue is that Milwaukee has not been turning traffic into runs. Ray Black, Rob Zastryzny, DL Hall, Quinn Priester, Brandon Lockridge, Angel Zerpa, Logan Henderson, Carlos Rodriguez, Coleman Crow, and Brian Fitzpatrick remain out.
Cincinnati Reds vs Milwaukee Brewers Matchup Breakdown
The starting pitcher matchup is closer than the full-season ERAs suggest. Gasser has the better current team context and better recent run support, but Lodolo’s last look against Milwaukee was sharp. If he is healthy enough to command his slider and fastball, Cincinnati can keep this close.
The lineup edge leans Milwaukee, especially if Suárez or De La Cruz is limited. The Brewers do not hit many home runs, but they get on base, move runners, and create pressure. That style fits well against a Reds pitching staff that has not been as steady as Milwaukee’s.
The bullpen edge also leans Brewers. Cincinnati’s relief group is dealing with injuries, while Milwaukee continues to win with run prevention. The Brewers’ starters have been carrying games lately, and if Gasser gives them five clean innings, Milwaukee has the better path to protect a late lead.
From an MLB betting guide perspective, this is a spot where the side is reasonable but the total may be cleaner. Milwaukee deserves to be favored, but Lodolo’s matchup history and both teams’ current offensive concerns point toward a lower-scoring game.
Cincinnati Reds vs Milwaukee Brewers Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Brewers moneyline at -153. Milwaukee has the better team, better bullpen, stronger home-field setup, and fewer offensive injury questions. The price is not cheap, but it is still playable because the Brewers’ pitching staff gives them the more stable full-game profile.
Cincinnati is live because Lodolo looked much better in his last start, and the Reds have enough power to punish mistakes. If De La Cruz and Suárez are both available and close to full strength, the underdog case gets stronger. The problem is that Cincinnati’s lineup may not be at full power, and Milwaukee’s pitching has been excellent lately.
The total at 8.5 leans Under. Milwaukee’s starters have been dominant over the last week, Lodolo has a good history against the Brewers, and Cincinnati’s key injury questions lower the Reds’ scoring ceiling. The Brewers can still win this game, but their recent issue with runners in scoring position makes a runaway offensive spot harder to trust. My projection lands around Brewers 5, Reds 3.
If you are comparing this matchup with the rest of today’s MLB picks, Under 8.5 is the best value. Milwaukee is the side lean, but the Under gives bettors a cleaner way to play both left-handed starters, the Reds’ lineup uncertainty, and the Brewers’ recent run-prevention form.
Best Bet: Reds vs Brewers Under 8.5 (-104).
The Home of Verified Handicappers
3,000+ monthly plays tracked live across all sports.
MLB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
MLB betting is about knowing when a favorite is correct, but the game script offers a better market. Reds vs Brewers points toward Milwaukee, yet the Under stands out because both teams have reasons to struggle turning baserunners into big innings.
ScoresAndStats helps bettors compare top sports handicappers, check transparent results on the handicapper leaderboard, and see which experts are finding value across the full baseball board.
For bettors building a Monday card, premium MLB picks can help sort through moneylines, run lines, totals, props, and first five inning markets. Baseball creates plenty of games where the favorite is attractive, but the sharper edge comes from matching starter form, injury context, and scoring environment to the right bet.
