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.
Milwaukee, WI
5 Milwaukee Tool Combos That Come With Forge Batteries – SlashGear
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Milwaukee Tool has long been celebrated by worksite professionals and staunch DIYers for producing some of the most powerful and durable devices available on the consumer market. So much so that the brand is regularly singled out as one of the best in the entire power tool arena.
Indeed, if power and battery life are features you value highly in cordless tools, Milwaukee is a brand that should be on your radar, as its M18 lineup of powered tools and devices has earned a reputation for delivering serious on-the-job punch. Just like many other cordless tool lines with shareable power sources, Milwaukee’s M18 shingle has several models of rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery packs to choose from.
If you’re looking to make the most of those M18 tools, the battery packs bearing the Forge label would seem to be the best way to do so, with Milwaukee claiming that those batteries are designed to deliver not just maximum power to your tool, but also provide longer running times and faster charging times than other M18 power packs. Unfortunately, Forge batteries are priced on par with those desirable capabilities. Still, shoppers looking to buy a new device with a Forge battery should know that Milwaukee offers combo packages that include both the tool and the battery at a more palatable price point. Here are a few you should be aware of.
1. M18 FUEL 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw Kit with One Forge Battery, Charger and Tool Bag
For the record, yes, Milwaukee’s M18 Forge battery packs are designed to outperform even the brand’s M18 High-Output offerings. When paired with the brushless motors powering many of Milwaukee’s M18 tools, those batteries can boost performance beyond even the most fervent fans’ expectations. As noted, you do pay a premium price for that 12.0 Ah power upgrade, with a single 12 Ah Forge battery selling for upwards of $229 these days.
Still, if you have a shiny new Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw on your current power tool want list, you can package it with a Forge battery at The Home Depot for $449. That package set comes with an M18 rapid charger that also works with M12 batteries, and even a handy Milwaukee Tool-branded tool bag.
As for the saw, the 7 1/4-inch cutter is, of course, fitted with an 18V brushless motor and also boasts Milwaukee Redlink Plus intelligence to bolster performance and protect against malfunction. It’s also got a Magnesium shoe and guards to increase durability, as well as an integrated dust port and vacuum adaptor. According to Milwaukee, with an M18 Forge battery on board, it can perform approximately 750 cuts on a full charge. Customers seem to back up its overall quality, rating the saw 4.7 stars and largely praising it for being powerful, lightweight, and easy to use, even as some noted concerns about power and toughness.
2. M18 FUEL 16 in. String Trimmer with Forge Batteries and Charger
While lawn care equipment has not, historically, been Milwaukee’s bread and butter, the brand has developed a few impressive cordless devices over the years. If its 4.8-star user rating is any indication, its M18 Fuel 16 in. String Trimmer is just such a device, particularly when it’s paired with a Forge battery. And if you’re looking to add the string trimmer to your current arsenal of lawn care gear, The Home Depot is selling a combo kit that includes the tool, a couple of 8 Ah Forge batteries, and a rapid charger for $519.
In terms of cost, the 2 batteries and charger alone would put you close to that total, so this looks like a pretty good deal on paper, especially given the user rating. The only real knock against this kit is that the 8 Ah battery will reportedly provide only up to 24 minutes of use for the brushless motor powering that string trimmer. Even so, a pair should provide more than enough runtime to handle most trimmer tasks you can throw at the device in your backyard. Users seem to agree, praising the trimmer for its power, performance, variable speeds from its brushless motor, and ease of use.
Many also note that the QUIK-LOK feature — which allows for 13 interchangeable heads to be attached to the power arm — is a major plus. All in, that potentially makes this one of the more versatile offerings in M18’s Forge-compatible lineup.
3. M18 FUEL Super Sawzall Reciprocating Saw with FORGE Battery Pack
In the annals of construction history, few power tools have proven quite as game-changing as the reciprocating saw. That is particularly true for the Milwaukee Tool brand, as the Wisconsin-based outfit actually invented that tool back in the 1950s. That cutter hit the market bearing the name of Sawzall. More than seven decades later, it still goes by that name and remains a staple in Milwaukee’s power tool lineup, and over that span, it has received all the modern upgrades you’d expect, including the ability to couple with M18 Forge battery packs.
The M18 Sawzall has been widely embraced by those who’ve purchased it, with more than 1,600 users giving it a 4.8-star rating. That number speaks volumes to the quality of the device itself, which uses a variable 5-speed brushless motor, a QUIK-LOK blade clamp, and on-off orbital action, among other features. Though a couple of users noted durability concerns, the reviews for the device are overwhelmingly positive.
They also claim that the Forge battery is a massive boon to the already popular saw, providing major upgrades in power, run time, and performance. Now for the bad news: this kit includes just the Sawzall and a single 8 Ah Forge battery, so if you don’t have a charger on hand, you’ll need to invest in one. The good news is that The Home Depot is selling the combo pack for just $528, so the price point is still pretty inviting.
4. M18 FUEL Hammer Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit with Forge Battery, Red Lithium Batteries, Charger and Case
Drills and drivers are about as essential as it gets for many a pro job and backyard project. It is such that pretty much every manufacturer in the game features several types of those tools available in their stable of devices. That list obviously includes Milwaukee Tool, which offers standard power drills and drivers, as well as more heavy-duty options like a hammer drill and an impact driver. If you’re looking for those latter two tools in the M18 mold, you should know that The Home Depot is offering a combo pack of both M18 drivers for $678.
That pack includes more than just a Hammer Drill and an Impact Driver, of course: a pair of 5 Ah battery packs, one multi-voltage charger, and a hard-shell carrying case big enough to hold both drivers. Oh, it comes with one 12 Ah Forge battery as well, making this a pretty comprehensive set of gear. Almost 1,800 users agree, rating the set 4.7 stars and largely praising both the devices and the batteries for their overall quality.
As for the tools themselves, both drill and driver are outfitted with brushless motors. The hammer drill is also just 6.9 inches, making it suitable for use in tight spaces. So too is the impact driver at just 4.47 inches in size. Stature aside, the driver is powerful too, delivering 2,000 in-lbs of torque and up to 3,900 RPM.
5. M18 FUEL Dual Battery 18V Blower with M18 Mower Kit, 12.0 AH FORGE Batteries, and Chargers
Circling back to lawn care, here’s a combo kit for the big ballers out there looking to keep their green scapes in tip-top shape with Milwaukee power. First, we should tell you we weren’t kidding with the “big baller” statement, as this combo pack is selling for $1,649 through The Home Depot. It does, however, include big-ticket M18 items: a 21-inch self-propelled lawn mower, a dual-battery blower, two 12 Ah batteries, two 12 Ah Forge batteries, one rapid charger, and one six-port Packout rapid charger.
The 21-inch mower accounts for roughly half the cost of the set, but when paired with the blower — which can deliver up to 145 MPH and 600 CFM of airflow — it’ll go a long way toward keeping your green spaces looking good. And yes, the M18 Forge batteries are designed to help ensure those devices are powered up when it’s time to touch up those spaces.
We should tell you, however, that users have rated the kit at 4.3-stars. That number is hardly damning, of course, but the primary issue seems to be that Milwaukee may still have some work to do in its lawn mower makeup. More precisely, the mowers may have durability issues, with one user noting they were woefully unimpressed with their plastic components. So that is one of several factors to consider before ponying up for this kit.
Scene at 68th and Capitol
MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee DPW truck ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle on Monday afternoon, June 22.
Crash details
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, just before 3 p.m. a DPW truck was heading east on Capitol when it ran a red light at 68th Street and crashed into a sedan that was heading north on 68th.
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A passenger in the DPW truck, a 44-year-old, was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries.
The driver and only person in the sedan, a 25-year-old, was also taken to the hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries.
The driver of the DPW truck was cited for running the red traffic light.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department sent FOX6 the information. FOX6 crews also went to the scene.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Mayor Johnson says he’s not aware of FBI interviewing city election officials
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says he is unaware of any city election officials, current or former, who have sat for an interview with FBI agents seeking to discuss the 2020 election.
“I know there’s been outside counsel that has been engaged on this as well, which I’m grateful for, the partnership we’re having with some of the outside counsel there,” Johnson said on WISN 12’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics. “But my understanding as of this moment is no.”
Agents are said to be specifically asking questions related to Milwaukee’s nearly 180,000 absentee ballots and the processing of those ballots at the city’s central count location.
The ballots have yet to be destroyed. The county’s corporation counsel has cited an ongoing lawsuit as the reason for preserving the ballots.
Johnson said he doesn’t know all the details about why the ballots are still there, but he wants the privacy of Milwaukee voters to be protected.
“If there was or is an opportunity to destroy that, to secure the sanctity of the vote for the people in Milwaukee, so that they know that their vote is private and the federal government can’t figure out who folks voted for, I think we should do that,” Johnson said.
Meantime, Don Millis, the Republican chair of the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission, is urging Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to intervene and destroy Milwaukee’s 2020 absentee ballots.
Millis told “UpFront” he had a “very constructive conversation” with Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson and learned there were 265,000 absentee ballots from which it could be determined who voters cast their ballots for, not just for the presidency, but other offices as well.
“No one’s entitled to see those,” Millis said. “Our constitution was built on the idea of a secret ballot, and I’m just frustrated that this hasn’t happened. I just wish the decision makers who are in charge of this would see that and move more quickly.”
Millis added, “Best case scenario would be tomorrow. But I just don’t think that’s going to happen. I think it’s going to probably be weeks or months before that happens.”
Millis said the law permits the ballots to be destroyed.
“No one has a right to see them, and so if there is quote unquote litigation, those are documents that should not be sought to a litigation hold,” Millis said. “And it would seem to me incumbent upon the court to see it that way and give permission for Mr. Christenson to do what he’s authorized and required to do.”
Millis said there has been staff-level discussion with the attorney general’s office.
“I’d be satisfied if he chose to intervene, to take the steps that need to be taken,” Millis said.
Milwaukeean Tyanna Buie is one of 30 artists selected to have work featured in the Obama Presidential Center, which officially opened Friday.
“It still hasn’t set in yet,” Buie told “UpFront.” “It still feels like a dream. I remember when I was first contacted, they never said what the project was.”
Buie recalled that conversation, when she was told “You’re good to go.”
“I said, ‘Who is they? What are we talking about?’ And that’s when they said, ‘Oh, we didn’t tell you. It’s the Obama Presidential Center,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness.”
Buie said her piece is in a room themed “fired up for change.”
“And it was also a space where people can sit, lounge and just take it all in,” she said. “Just the scale of the magnitude of everybody’s work is phenomenal, so I’m grateful to be included, but also super excited for people to see it.”
See more from the show.
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.
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