The Cincinnati Reds (55-46, 63-37 RL, 55-45 O/U) battle the Milwaukee Brewers (55-45, 48-51 RL, 42-54-4 O/U) in the first of a three-game divisional series on Monday evening. The Reds will send Graham Ashcraft to the mound. The Brewers will reply with veteran Collin Rea. The Brewers lead the season series 8-2.
Graham Ashcraft will be on the mound. Ashcraft resumed his solid pitching last time out, limiting the Giants to only two runs on five hits in six innings, and was credited with the victory. The young starter struggled last month but has been outstanding in July where he has allowed just four runs and now has a weak 5.77 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP accompanied by a 5-7 record in 93.2 innings pitched on the season. Ashcraft held the Brewers to one run in six innings earlier this month but usually struggles against the rivals, posting a horrible 8.03 ERA and an 0-4 record in 24.2 innings.
The Reds have been a resilient team. They were recently humbled by the Brewers who defeated them in back-to-back series. The squad rebounded by winning two of four home meetings against a strong Giants squad followed by a home sweep against the Diamondbacks. The Reds are 5-5 i n their last ten games and now trail the Brewers by only half a game atop the division.
First career leadoff homer for @ellylacocoa18?? pic.twitter.com/wkABB9ctgK
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 23, 2023
Elly De La Cruz has cooled down, posting just five RBIs and a .635 OPS this month. The 21-year-old rookie has the potential to be a superstar. De La Cruz has 17 RBIs and a .769 OPS in 40 games on the season and has stolen 17 bases. He is 4 for 24 with one RBI against the Brewers.
Cincinnati is scoring an average of 4.90 runs, ranking them ninth. The pitching has been decent recently and has issued a 4.75 team ERA, placing them 25th.