Game Thread #136: Milwaukee Brewers (79-56) @ Cincinnati Reds (64-72)

Friday’s doubleheader was eventful for the Brewers. They had an extra innings game, a 10-run inning, an injury scare, and a streak of 14 scoreless innings by the pitching staff. Now, they have to follow that up in game three of the series against the Reds.

After rolling his ankle in the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader, Jackson Chourio is back in the lineup today. Before the game, he told reporters that he’s not feeling any pain after waking up this morning. Curt Hogg also reports that Brewer Hicklen has a locker in the clubhouse. With no transactions announced before tonight’s game, he appears to be one of the two September callups. DL Hall was returned to Nashville but is eligible to be called up tomorrow. He is not subject to the minimum 15 days in the minors since he was a 27th man for a doubleheader.

Frankie Montas will face his former team in tonight’s start. He faced some rough calls that went against him in his last start against the Athletics. On the other side is Fernando Cruz. This will be his second start of the season, and he likely won’t pitch very long. In his last start against the Athletics on Wednesday, he pitched just three innings and threw 42 pitches.

It’s a pretty normal lineup for the Brewers. Brice Turang, Chourio, and William Contreras lead the lineup, with Jake Bauers fourth and Willy Adames in his usual fifth spot. Sal Frelick gets the day off as Blake Perkins makes a start in center tonight, and Rhys Hoskins slides back down to the seventh slot. Garrett Mitchell and Joey Ortiz round out the lineup.

Tonight’s game is on Fox but it’s the secondary game with Braves-Phillies occupying the main slot. Both games are important as the Brewers and Phillies are currently tied for the second-best record in the NL. The Dodgers play the Diamondbacks later tonight and have a 1 ¹⁄₂ game lead.