The Reds got their series opener in Milwaukee off to a promising start, but the night took a tense turn when Dane Myers made a spectacular play and paid for it.
In the bottom of the fourth, with Cincinnati protecting a 1-0 lead, Myers laid out for an unforgettable catch at the wall. It was the kind of grab that can swing a game - and maybe even a dugout - but the aftermath looked rough. Myers appeared to take a serious shot to his shoulder on the play, and he was soon met by the medical cart before leaving the game.
The reaction around the moment said plenty. From every angle, it was the sort of collision that leaves a team holding its breath. It was also a huge effort from a player who, at least in that instant, looked fully committed to helping the Reds claw through a season that has left them searching for answers.
With Myers out, manager Terry Francona turned to TJ Friedl in center field. Friedl had recently been called back up during the Pirates series.
At the time this was being written, Cincinnati was still clinging to a 3-0 lead, and Myers’ play had at least given the Reds a jolt in a spot where they badly needed one.
The matchup itself already carried a heavy load. The Reds entered the series after winning on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates and trying to keep their season alive against a Brewers team that has controlled this matchup for a long time. Milwaukee has won 15 of the last 17 series between the clubs, which makes any Cincinnati success in this spot feel like a steep climb.
There was also a small opening for the Reds coming in. Milwaukee had leaned hard on its bullpen over the weekend against the Chicago Cubs, using all three of its top relief weapons multiple times. That could leave the Brewers a bit worn down as Cincinnati arrived.
Whether the Reds can turn that into something bigger is another question. But Myers’ effort gave them exactly the kind of spark a team in their position needs: a player throwing everything he has into one play, even if it comes with a scary price.
In Other News...
Brewers Turn To A Long Awaited Arm As Bullpen Pressure Builds
With the bullpen taking on more and more importance in a season that has already started with a franchise-best 51-31 record through 82 games, the Brewers turned to a familiar name in the system and gave Garrett Stallings a long-awaited opportunity. Milwaukee brought up Stallings from Triple-A Nashville and sent Robert Gasser to the Arizona Complex League to clear a spot, adding another arm at a time when every inning in the middle and late frames matters more than ever.
Stallings arrived in the organization through a 2024 trade with the Baltimore Orioles, and his media session reflected just how long he has worked for this moment. He spoke about the path through the minors and the weight of finally getting the call, with more than enough mileage logged along the way to make this promotion feel earned even before he throws a pitch for Milwaukee. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Murphy's Cooper Pratt Decision Will Have Brewers Fans Talking
Cooper Pratts early run in the majors has been a reminder that even the Brewers best prospects can need time to settle in. The infield prospect was promoted earlier this year, but the offense has lagged behind the expectations that come with that kind of move, leaving Milwaukee to balance patience with the day-to-day demands of a contending lineup.
Pat Murphys decision to sit Pratt for Game 2 against the Reds only added to the conversation, especially with the club still trying to chart his long-term path. The numbers have been uneven since the call-up, but the Brewers have seen this before with young players who needed a slower climb, and the comparison to Brice Turangs early growing pains is one reason Pratts development remains such a watchable subplot. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Could Finally Face A First Round Draft Dilemma
The Brewers are headed toward one of the more interesting decisions of their draft season, with their first-round selection sitting at No. 25 in 2026. That is late enough to put them in a different kind of board than usual, and it comes after a stretch in which they have leaned toward position players with their first-round choices since 2020. This time, though, the pool could force a rethink.
Several college arms are expected to be within reach, and that is where the debate starts to get real. Tennessee right-hander Tegan Kuhns, Arizona State left-hander Cole Carlon and Mississippi right-hander Cade Townsend all fit the kind of upside that can pull a club off its usual path, which leaves Milwaukee weighing whether to stay with its recent draft tendencies or finally take a pitcher in the first round again. [Read more 🡒]