Brewers and Reds return for four quick swings

Brewers vs – Milwaukee welcomes the Cincinnati Reds for four games this week after sweeping them at Great American Ball Park less than a week ago. The Brewers’ biggest roster swing is the return of Jared Koenig from the injured list, while Cincinnati must replace Blake Dun

For the Milwaukee Brewers, the week doesn’t start with a leisurely breather. It starts with déjà vu.

The Reds are back in town for four games after Milwaukee already faced Cincinnati less than a week ago—swept them at Great American Ball Park—leaving the first question to answer all over again: can the Brewers keep doing what they just did, quickly and without letting the moment cool?

Milwaukee did not keep everything perfect after that sweep. Back home, the Brewers hosted the Cubs. They took the opening game of the series behind another strong showing from Jacob Misiorowski, then dropped the final two. Still, they hold a 5.5-game lead on the division with July on tap.

Cincinnati’s storyline on the other side has been a rebound. The Reds bounced back in Pittsburgh this weekend, taking two of three from the Pirates as the offense finally showed up—posting 19 runs over three games.

Now the calendar flips again: Reds in Milwaukee for four, and a set that feels like more than just another set of games because of how close the NL Central is to feeling settled—or not.

The roster news matters, too, because both sides are managing absences and pitching depth.

For Milwaukee, the key update is the return of Jared Koenig. Koenig was activated from the injured list on Friday. It’s a meaningful move for a bullpen that went from a surplus to a deficit of left-handers in rapid fashion. Milwaukee’s current injured list includes four bullpen lefties. which left Aaron Ashby as the lone healthy lefty before Koenig’s return.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, is heading into the series without two players. Outfielder Blake Dunn is listed with a TBD return after being shelved with a right elbow sprain. Right-hander Tony Santillan was put on the injured list with an oblique strain and is out until at least after the All-Star break.

If you zoom out to the matchup’s shape, the contrast is clear.

The Brewers rank in the top 10 in most offensive categories but sit near the bottom in homers, with only 73 as a team—tied for 26th entering Sunday. The Reds have 100 homers, ranking 12th, but they rank in the bottom-third of the league in OPS (.700) and runs scored (346).

On pitching, Milwaukee has been doing the heavy lifting. The Brewers’ staff ranks near the top of the league in ERA—3.42 ERA ranks second—and strikeouts. with 788 strikeouts over 716 2/3 innings. ranking first. Cincinnati is near the bottom in both categories: 4.51 ERA and 652 strikeouts, ranking 23rd.

The series opens Monday, June 29 at 6:40 p.m. with LHP Robert Gasser (1-3, 4.50 ERA, 5.14 FIP) facing LHP Nick Lodolo (2-2, 5.59 ERA, 5.38 FIP).

Gasser hasn’t pitched since last Sunday in Atlanta. He’s made six starts this season, totaling 30 innings with a 4.50 ERA, 5.14 FIP, and 31 strikeouts. His last two outings have looked steadier. including 11 2/3 innings against the Guardians and Braves with two runs allowed on six hits and three walks while striking out 12. His one appearance against the Reds came last September: 2 2/3 innings with four runs (none earned) on four hits and two walks. striking out three. He took the loss despite a 0.00 ERA.

Lodolo is 28 and has had a disappointing season by his numbers—5.59 ERA, 5.38 FIP, and 38 strikeouts over 46 2/3 innings. Still, he’s coming off a solid outing against these Brewers. He went four innings. allowing no runs on two hits and a walk while striking out six on just 75 pitches before being removed after a comebacker off his left wrist. Against Milwaukee over seven career appearances (six starts), he’s 1-1 with a 2.52 ERA and 35 strikeouts across 35 2/3 innings.

Tuesday, June 30 at 6:40 p.m. features a right-right matchup: RHP Brandon Sproat (2-4, 5.43 ERA, 5.07 FIP) against RHP Rhett Lowder (3-5, 4.81 ERA, 4.68 FIP).

Sproat’s first couple of months were rough. but his last few outings have looked better. even with his overall line still sitting at 5.43 ERA and 5.07 FIP across 69 2/3 innings. The latest blemishes include a pair of homers in his last two outings, one of them a grand slam. Against the A’s. Guardians. and these same Reds. Sproat totaled 15 2/3 innings with five earned runs on seven hits and three walks. striking out 19. His last appearance was his best in that stretch: six scoreless innings against Cincinnati. allowing just one hit and a hit by pitch. while striking out 10 on 80 pitches. His only other appearance against the Reds came in his debut last season. when he went six innings and allowed three runs with seven strikeouts.

Lowder, 24, has been “meh” this season through 12 starts. He’s got a 4.81 ERA and 4.68 FIP with 48 strikeouts across 58 innings. His last appearance came against Milwaukee last week: three runs on eight hits and a walk. striking out six across 5 2/3 innings in a 6-5 loss. That was Lowder’s second career appearance against the Brewers. and his record now sits at 0-2 with four runs allowed and 12 strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings.

Wednesday, July 1 at 7:10 p.m. turns to left-handers, with LHP Shane Drohan (3-2, 3.12 ERA, 3.15 FIP) facing LHP Andrew Abbott (5-4, 3.90 ERA, 5.05 FIP).

Drohan has become the sixth man of Milwaukee’s rotation. In this role, he’s been solid—3-2 with a 3.12 ERA, 3.15 FIP, and 52 strikeouts over 52 innings this season. His last five appearances have come as a starter. Most recently against these Reds. he went 4 1/3 innings. allowing no runs but giving up five hits and three walks while striking out five on 98 pitches. The expectation is straightforward: provide more length.

Abbott, 27, was an All-Star last season in his third year with the Reds, but his 2026 has been a step down. He has a 3.90 ERA, but his 5.05 FIP sits higher, and his strikeout rate has dropped—70 over 90 innings. In his last appearance against the Pirates. he allowed four runs (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings. striking out six in a no-decision. Against the Brewers, Abbott has started eight career games, going 3-4 with a 3.74 ERA and 44 strikeouts across 45 2/3 innings. That includes three starts last season when he went 1-1, allowing eight runs over 18 1/3 innings, a 3.93 ERA.

Thursday, July 2 at 1:10 p.m. is where the series could sharpen into something close to a true pitchers’ duel. RHP Jacob Misiorowski (9-3, 1.45 ERA, 1.84 FIP) is scheduled against a TBD starter for Cincinnati, with the scenario pointing to Chase Burns’ spot in the rotation.

Misiorowski remains among league leaders in major pitching categories. He tops the leaderboard in ERA (1.45), FIP (1.84), strikeouts (146), and WHIP (0.768). He picked up another win his last time out against the Cubs. going six strong innings with eight strikeouts and one run allowed on two hits and four walks.

He hasn’t faced the Reds in the most recent series. but he did make two appearances against them last season. Over a start and a relief appearance. he went 3 2/3 total innings. allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and six walks while striking out six. That rough stretch is tied to a game Milwaukee ultimately won 10-8 after trailing 8-1.

The Reds have not yet announced a starter for Thursday’s series finale. If it is Burns, it sets up a high-stakes matchup. Burns, 23, is having a strong second MLB season with a 9-1 record, a 2.36 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 112 strikeouts over 91 2/3 innings. The Brewers missed him in his last turn through the rotation. but he was roughed up by the Pirates over the weekend. allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out 10 over six-plus innings. His only appearance against Milwaukee came last September in relief: 1 2/3 innings. allowing no runs on no hits and two walks while striking out four.

The scheduling itself carries a reminder of what’s at stake for Milwaukee. This is part of “the most important stretch of the season,” as the games keep coming against NL Central opponents.

Monday. June 29: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Tuesday. June 30: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday. July 1: Exclusively on ESPN/ESPN App; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Thursday. July 2: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee).

After a sweep less than a week ago, and with Cincinnati still searching for stability at the plate, the week doesn’t need a complicated storyline. It needs results. And the expectation coming into it is simple: Milwaukee to take three of four.

Milwaukee Brewers Cincinnati Reds Jared Koenig Blake Dunn Tony Santillan Robert Gasser Nick Lodolo Brandon Sproat Rhett Lowder Shane Drohan Andrew Abbott Jacob Misiorowski Chase Burns MLB schedule June 29 July 2