The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to Cincinnati to take on the Reds in what is the first of five out of six series to be played against NL Central foes heading into the All-Star break. While any series could technically “make or break” a season, this stretch of 21 games (18 of them against the division) over the next 21 days just feels more important.
Midwest
'America has DOGE fever': States from NJ to TX draft similar initiatives as federal leaders celebrate
The spread of DOGE-centric legislation and bureaucracies has taken off like a SpaceX rocket in several states across the country since Elon Musk and lawmakers like Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., began their work this year.
Bean, chair of the bipartisan DOGE Caucus, was asked about copycat initiatives popping up around the country and remarked, “America has DOGE fever.”
“As elected officials, we must ensure we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars. This means we must identify, investigate and eliminate wasteful spending.”
With a governor’s race in November and President Donald Trump only losing their state by a historically small margin, Garden State Republicans appeared bullish this week as they put forth a proposal to “bring DOGE to New Jersey.”
‘DOGE MEETS CONGRESS’: LAWMAKER LAUNCHES NEW PANEL ON GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
The Congressional DOGE Caucus is led by Rep. Aaron Bean. (House of Representatives/Getty)
GOP Assemblymen Alex Sauickie and Christopher DePhillips recently introduced Resolution 213 to create the NJ Delegation on Government Efficiency within the Treasury Department.
Sauickie quoted former President Ronald Reagan’s 1985 retort that “government is like a baby – an alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other.”
“Except babies, if raised and disciplined rightly, grow into adults who usually become productive members of society. Those adopting our state budgets show no such discipline,” Sauickie said, adding that it is time for “grownups to take responsibility and say ‘no’” to reckless spending.
Some Trenton lawmakers have painted New Jersey’s financial outlook as a “fiscal cliff,” and DePhillips blamed outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy for claiming he inherited the problem from Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
“Taxpayers want accountability for how their hard-earned money is spent,” DePhillips said.
He also called on Murphy to “stop fighting Trump” and lower New Jersey’s business taxes before the third-founded state in the union “loses out” on the potential upswing of the new administration.
Republican state Sen. Joe Pennacchio added in a recent Fox News Digital interview that he would be forming a DOGE committee in the state legislature.
“We’re mirroring what the federal government and what [Musk is] doing,” said Pennacchio.
TOP DOGE LAWMAKER SAYS TRUMP ALREADY RACKING UP WINS
The “Trenton Makes” bridge that spans the Delaware River between Trenton, New Jersey, and Morrisville, Pennsylvania. (Getty)
This week, Kentucky lawmakers also prioritized government efficiency measures, with Republican state Rep. Jared Bauman forwarding a bill to establish a working group to help the state treasury modernize its tax collections and accounting.
In Texas, lawmakers in both the state Senate and House are working on DOGE-centric initiatives.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Brandon Creighton, a Republican, first oversaw the passage of the strongest DEI ban in the U.S. during the 2023 session, which eliminated billions in taxpayer-funded waste and refocused public universities on education over social issues.
After DOGE formed at the federal level, Creighton said Texas is already a model for how a jurisdiction that prioritizes government efficiency will work.
“Seeing the swift action by President Trump and Elon Musk with DOGE is a welcome and necessary new era in Washington, D.C. – and I know they are just getting started,” Creighton told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
“Many have said that Washington should take notes from Texas – because the Texas economic engine is proof that when government is committed to efficiency, accountability and conservative results, taxpayers win.”
Meanwhile, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, officially the president of the Senate, announced a bill late last month called “Texas DOGE – Improving Government Efficiency,” according to Bloomberg.
Another reported bill by Republican state Sen. Bryan Hughes would form a DOGE office in the executive branch.
Meanwhile, the Texas House is considering forming a DOGE committee to analyze government efficiency through a 13-member panel.
The St. Louis, Missouri, skyline along the Mississippi River (Getty)
It would investigate fraud claims, inefficient use of tax dollars, and the use of AI, according to FOX-7.
In Missouri, Republican state Rep. Ben Baker told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Missourians believe the state government is not as efficient or responsive as it should be.
“We want to look into that,” said Baker.
Baker recently announced he was named to lead the state’s new DOGE Standing Committee, adding his work will “align with federal efforts.”
In New Hampshire, newly-inaugurated Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s first executive order created a 15-member Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE).
“COGE will make us smarter than ever before when it comes to saving taxpayer dollars and finding better ways to serve the people of our state,” she said in her inaugural address.
It will be led by former Gov. Craig Benson and businessman Andy Crews.
North Carolina also sought to get in on the DOGE trend.
Republican House Speaker Destin Hall unveiled the new NC Select Committee on Government Efficiency.
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (Reuters)
State Reps. Keith Kidwell and John Torbett, both Republicans, will lead the initiative, looking into waste, duplication, mismanagement and constitutional violations.
“As the new Trump administration rightfully takes aim at Washington D.C.’s wasteful spending and inefficient bureaucracy, it is time for us in Raleigh to do the same,” Kidwell said in a statement.
Bean, the U.S. House’s DOGE leader, further remarked on the collective efforts:
“It’s exciting to see states pick up the DOGE baton, and I applaud their efforts to improve government efficiency and stop the abuse of taxpayer dollars.”
Some in Congress, however, have cast doubt on DOGE. Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., said at an anti-DOGE rally that some of the actions at the federal level are “completely illegal.”
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Anna Segedi and Mellissa Channell-Watkins on PWHL game at LCA
Anna Segedi, left, and Mellissa Channell-Watkins will play for Vancouver in Saturday’s PWHL game at LCA.
PWHL Detroit added another local player to the roster for the inaugural season in 2026-2027.
Plymouth’s Mellissa Channell-Watkins (Vancouver Goldeneyes) was one of three defensemen signed to the team on Sunday along with Stephanie Markowski (Ottawa Charge) and Mia Biotti (Boston Fleet).
Channell-Watkins joins Macomb’s Taylor Girard, Brighton’s Shiann Darkangelo and Port Huron’s Casey Borgiel as Michigan-area players in the lineup.
Channell-Watkins played with the expansion Goldeneyes last year after two previous seasons with the Minnesota Frost where she won back-to-back Walter Cup titles.
In 30 games in 2025-26, the 31-year-old recorded two assists and tied for fifth among defenders with 44 hits.
In 83 career regular-season games, she has 11 points (1G, 10A), while her nine career playoff points (1G, 8A) in 18 games is tied for third all-time among defenders.
Prior to turning pro, the Little Caesars graduate played at the University of Wisconsin, scoring the game-winning goal in the 2017 NCAA Frozen Four semifinal.
Markowski entered the PWHL as the 20th overall selection by Ottawa in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft.
The 24-year-old finished third on the team with a plus-6 rating in 2025-26 and has recorded 10 points (2G, 8A) in 58 career regular-season games.
Collegiately, the Edmonton native played four seasons at Clarkson University (2019-23), serving as an alternate captain in 2022-23.
She transferred to Ohio State where she won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2024.
Biotti spent her rookie season with Boston Fleet, making her PWHL debut at Little Caesars Arena on Jan. 3 and went on to record two assists in 13 regular-season games and saw action in two playoff contests.
The 23-year-old from Cambridge, Massachusetts, played four seasons at Harvard University, serving as captain in her senior year, and earned Second-Team All-Ivy League honors.
PWHL Detroit roster
Forwards
▶ Daryl Watts, Detroit’s first signing, Canadian Olympian, Toronto Sceptres
▶ Hannah Bilka, U.S. Olympian, Seattle Torrent
▶ Britta Curl-Salemme, U.S. Olympian, Minnesota Frost
▶ Jesse Compher, Sister of Red Wings forward J.T. Compher, Toronto Sceptres
▶ Taylor Girard, Macomb native, New York Sirens
▶ Shiann Darkangelo, Brighton, Montreal Victoire
▶ Hilary Knight, U.S. Olympian, Seattle Torrent
Defensemen
▶ Cayla Barnes, U.S. Olympian, Seattle Torrent
▶ Sydney Bard, Vancouver Goldeneyes
▶ Nina Jobst-Smith, German Olympian, Vancouver Goldeneyes
Detroit’s draft picks
▶ No. 15 (Second round): Andrea Brandli, G, Switzerland
▶ No. 22 (second round): Casey Borgiel, D, Colgate
▶ No. 34 (third round): MaryKate O’Brien, F, Minnesota-Duluth
▶ No. 39 (fourth round): Kyle Josifovic, F, Connecticut.
▶ No. 51 (fifth round): Sena Catterall, F, Clarkson
▶ No. 63 (sixth round): Georgia Schiff, F, Cornell
Detroit added six new players in the PWHL Draft, including Swiss goalie star Andrea Brändli.
Detroit added six players in the PWHL Draft, including Swiss goalie star Andrea Brändli.
Milwaukee is fresh off a disappointing series loss in Atlanta, as the Brewers lost the first two games by one run each before the offense exploded for nine runs in a win on Sunday. On the other side, the Reds are coming off a 4-2 week in which they took two of three from both New York teams — they outscored the Mets 26-12 at home to begin the week before outscoring the Yankees 14-8 in the Bronx over the weekend. Cincinnati sits in last place in the division, 9.5 games behind the first place Crew.
The Brewers are currently without pitchers Brandon Woodruff (expected to return for the series opener — more on him below), Logan Henderson (early July return), Jared Koenig (late June/early July), Coleman Crow (July), DL Hall (late July), Rob Zastryzny (late June/early July), Brian Fitzpatrick (TBD), Carlos Rodriguez (TBD), Angel Zerpa (out for season), and Quinn Priester (out for season). Outfielder Brandon Lockridge is the lone position player on the IL, and he’s reportedly close to a rehab assignment after a setback in the last few weeks.
The Reds are without position players Elly De La Cruz (expected to return either Monday or Tuesday) and Ke’Bryan Hayes (TBD), as well as pitchers Pierce Johnson (expected to return on Monday), Brandon Williamson (second half), Emilio Pagán (late June/July), Hunter Greene (July), and Graham Ashcraft (second half).
Jake Bauers leads the Brewer offense with 13 homers this year, with Brice Turang (11 homers) and Jackson Chourio (10 homers) right behind him. Chourio, Andrew Vaughn, and William Contreras lead the regulars in batting average, as Chourio is hitting .301, Vaughn is hitting .352, and Contreras is hitting .299 after a 4-for-5 day on Sunday. Gary Sánchez, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton also play key roles offensively, with Joey Ortiz and Blake Perkins rounding things out. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .256/.340/.394 (.734 OPS ranks ninth), with 68 homers (tied for 27th), 397 runs (third), and 75 steals (fourth).
Rookie Sal Stewart leads the Cincy offense with 14 homers this season, with JJ Bleday (13 homers), De La Cruz (12 homers), and Spencer Steer (12 homers) not far behind him. Speaking of De La Cruz, his return will be big for a Reds’ offense that has scuffled over the last month or so, as he’s hitting .280/.346/.509 and is always a threat to steal bags. Nathaniel Lowe, Matt McLain, Eugenio Suárez, Tyler Stephenson, and Dane Myers are the other regulars for the Reds, with Noelvi Marte, Blake Dunn, Will Benson, Edwin Arroyo, and Jose Trevino serving as depth. As a team, the Reds are hitting .229/.311/.395 (.706 OPS ranks 21st), with 96 homers (11th), 325 runs (22nd), and 59 steals (11th).
The Brewer bullpen is led by Aaron Ashby, who just took his first loss after 10 wins on Saturday evening. Grant Anderson, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill have also been effective, with Chad Patrick serving in a long-relief role. Joel Kuhnel, Drew Rom, and Craig Yoho serve as Milwaukee’s “B” bullpen as it stands. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.45 team ERA (third), including a 3.37 starter ERA (fourth) and a 3.55 bullpen ERA (seventh). They’ve struck out 736 batters (first) over 670 2/3 innings.
Brock Burke and Sam Moll lead the Reds bullpen, as Burke has a 3.00 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 36 innings and Moll has a 3.19 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 31 innings. Tony Santillan has struggled to a 5.10 ERA, but Tejay Antone (2.75 ERA) and Caleb Ferguson (1.50 ERA) have both been effective. Zach Maxwell (9.90 ERA), Chris Paddack (6.04 ERA), and Chase Petty (4.41 ERA) have also struggled, and with Johnson expected to return, one of them seems like the most likely odd man out. As a staff, the Reds have a 4.58 team ERA (24th), including a 4.43 starter ERA (24th) and a 4.81 bullpen ERA (16th). They’ve struck out 597 batters (26th) over 678 innings.
Monday, June 22 @ 6:10 p.m.: RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 3.60 ERA, 3.97 FIP) vs. RHP Brady Singer (3-6, 5.32 ERA, 6.15 FIP)
Woodruff is slated to make his return in the series opener, as he’s missed nearly two months after a shoulder injury that became blatantly clear in his last start due to diminished velocity. For the season, he’s made six starts, totaling 30 innings with a 3.60 ERA, 3.97 FIP, and 25 strikeouts. In a pair of rehab appearances with the ACL Brewers and High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Big Woo totaled nine innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 11. In 15 career appearances (13 starts) against the Reds, Woodruff is 7-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 106 strikeouts over 75 innings.
Singer, 29, has had a rough second season in Cincinnati after being acquired in the Jonathan India trade last offseason. After putting up a 14-12 record with a 4.03 ERA in 2025, he’s 3-6 with a 5.32 ERA and 6.15 FIP over 66 innings this season. He’s looked a bit better in his last two outings, though, allowing three runs on nine hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts over 11 innings in a win over the Mets and a no-decision against the Padres. Singer has made four career starts against Milwaukee — including three last season — with a 2-2 record, a 4.82 ERA, and 20 strikeouts across 18 2/3 innings.
Tuesday, June 23 @ 6:10 p.m.: RHP Brandon Sproat (1-4, 5.94 ERA, 5.52 FIP) vs. LHP Nick Lodolo (2-2, 6.12 ERA, 5.80 FIP)
Sproat has a 5.94 ERA and 5.52 FIP with 63 strikeouts across 63 2/3 innings this season, and he’s been about as inconsistent as those numbers indicate — he’s shown flashes of top-of-the-rotation stuff, but he’s also struggled with homers and walks. His last start was a microcosm of his season, as he went three perfect innings before allowing a pair of walks and a pair of hits — including a grand slam — in the fourth inning against the Guardians. He struck out six but exited after just 63 pitches in that fourth, as he dealt with cramps (something that seems to be a larger issue among Milwaukee’s young pitching staff). Sproat’s only appearance against the Reds came last year in his MLB debut while with the Mets. He took the loss in that one, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over six frames.
Lodolo, who had the numbers of a top-of-the-rotation guy last season with a 3.33 ERA, 3.81 FIP, and 156 strikeouts, has struggled mightily in eight starts thus far this year, with a 6.12 ERA, 5.80 FIP, and 32 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old lefty got roughed up big time against the Mets in his last appearance, allowing seven runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out just two over 4 2/3 innings. Lodolo has made six career appearances (five starts) against Milwaukee, with a 1-1 record, 2.84 ERA, and 29 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings.
Wednesday, June 24 @ 6:10 p.m.: LHP Shane Drohan (3-2, 3.40 ERA, 3.17 FIP) vs. RHP Rhett Lowder (3-4, 4.82 ERA, 4.46 FIP)
Drohan has turned into a reliable five-inning guy for the Brewers over the last month, as he has a 3.40 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 47 strikeouts over 47 2/3 innings this season. He took a no-decision in his last outing against the Guardians, going five frames with one run allowed on three hits and three walks, striking out three on 91 pitches. This marks Drohan’s first career start against Cincinnati.
Lowder, 24, is a former No. 7 overall pick who debuted at just 22 in 2024, pitching to a 1.17 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings that year. After missing all of 2025 due to injuries, he hasn’t looked quite the same in 2026 through 11 starts. He has a 4.82 ERA, 4.46 FIP, and 42 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings. He took the loss in his last appearance against the Yankees, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Lowder made his lone career start against Milwaukee back in August 2024. He took the loss, allowing one run on two hits and four walks with six strikeouts across four innings.
Monday, June 22: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Tuesday, June 23: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, June 24: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
The Brewers hit a tough rut in Atlanta over the weekend, but this Reds team has been struggling after jumping out to a hot start. I’ll take the Crew to win two of three to wrap up the road trip.
Minneapolis, MN
Special Olympics USA Games kicks off in Minneapolis with Demi Lovato, Jon Batiste and thousands of fans
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