Milwaukee Brewers Set for Crucial NL Central Series Against Cincinnati Reds The Milwaukee Brewers are set to conclude their NL Central road trip with a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds starting Friday, September 4. Entering the matchup, the Brewers hold the best record in baseball at 87-53, with a win in their final game against the Cubs on Thursday securing their sixth straight series victory and ninth in their last 10. The Reds, meanwhile, remain in last place in the division at 67-73, though they have recently rebounded with two series wins over the Cubs and Padres, their first such victories since early August. The Brewers’ roster features a mix of injured and healthy players, with their injured list limited to pitchers. Key absences include Bryse Wilson (recovering from mid-September surgery), Brandon Woodruff (potential postseason return), Rob Zastryzny (status TBD), and several others out for the season. The Reds face their own challenges, with infielders Spencer Steer (likely done for the season), Ke’Bryan Hayes (out until September), and Michael Toglia (season-ending) sidelined. Outfielder Blake Dunn is also out for the year. On the mound, the Reds are without Graham Ashcraft, who is on a rehab assignment after missing over three months due to a UCL sprain, and Hunter Greene, who underwent Tommy John surgery and may miss all of next season. Offensively, the Brewers are led by a core of power hitters including Jake Bauers, Jackson Chourio, Andrew Vaughn, Garrett Mitchell, William Contreras, and the recently hot Christian Yelich. While Brice Turang and Gary Sánchez have struggled recently, players like Joey Ortiz, Sal Frelick, Cooper Pratt, Luis Lara, and David Hamilton have stepped up to fill the gap. Bo Naylor rounds out the September roster. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .257/.#cincinnati_reds #rhett_lowder #milwaukee_brewers #shane_drohan #dustin_may
Cardinals Navigate Complex Trade Deadline Dilemma Amid Struggles The St. Louis Cardinals, who began the 2026 season as underdogs after trading away key veterans like Brendon Donovan, Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, and Nolan Arenado, now face a pivotal decision as the August 3 trade deadline approaches. Despite an initial surge that positioned them as a surprise contender, the team has struggled in the second half, posting a 3-8 record and slipping to .500 for the first time since April 13. This downturn has forced general manager Chaim Bloom to weigh whether to aggressively sell assets or hold onto talent for the long-term rebuild. The Cardinals’ current trajectory has raised questions about their viability in the National League playoff race, particularly given the low bar for the third wild-card spot. While their struggles are partly attributed to a lack of offensive production and inconsistent pitching, the team’s focus remains on long-term development rather than short-term wins. Bloom, in his first season as president of baseball operations, has prioritized building a sustainable foundation, which has led to a cautious approach at the trade deadline. However, the team’s recent performance has shifted the narrative, creating a dilemma: should they trade key players to address immediate needs or preserve their young core for future success? A central figure in this decision is right-handed starter Dustin May, who has shown promise despite his modest ERA. Over 20 starts, May carries an FIP of 3.16, which would rank 10th in MLB if he met qualifying innings. His improved velocity—adding 1.5 mph to his fastball—and expanded repertoire, including four above-average pitches according to Stuff+, have made him an attractive asset.#st_louis_cardinals #chaim_bloom #lars_nootbaar #dustin_may #riley_obrien
