The Milwaukee Brewers travel to Great American Ball Park to take on the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, September 5, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Dustin May gets the ball for Milwaukee against Cincinnati's Andrew Abbott in a regular season NL Central matchup that carries real divisional weight this deep into the schedule. Fans can catch the action on Brewers.TV Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook or listen on WTMJ 620 AM back in Milwaukee.

Brewers at Reds: Starting Pitchers for Saturday, September 5

Dustin May draws the start for the Brewers. The right-hander has been a key piece of Milwaukee's rotation, and how he handles Cincinnati's lineup will set the tone for the entire game. May needs to establish his fastball early and work efficiently through a Reds order that is built to put pressure on opposing pitchers from top to bottom.

Andrew Abbott gets the nod for the Reds. Abbott is a left-hander who can give hitters fits with his spin game, and Milwaukee's lineup will need to stay disciplined and work counts to get to Cincinnati's bullpen. Road environments can be tricky late in the season, and Great American Ball Park is no place to sleep on the home side.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup to Watch

The Reds are sending out a lineup with plenty of pop and athleticism. Here is how Cincinnati is lined up for Saturday night:

• Héctor Rodríguez, RF
• Elly De La Cruz, SS
• Sal Stewart, 1B
• JJ Bleday, LF
• Tyler Stephenson, DH
• Eugenio Suárez, 3B
• Jose Trevino, C
• Carlos Jorge, CF
• Matt McLain, 2B

Elly De La Cruz batting second is the name that jumps off this card. De La Cruz is the kind of player who can change a game by himself — his combination of speed and raw power makes him a legitimate threat every time he steps in the box. If May can keep De La Cruz off the bases, Milwaukee's chances improve significantly. Eugenio Suárez adds another experienced bat in the middle of the order, and the Brewers cannot afford to let the Reds string things together through the five and six spots.

Keys to the Game for the Brewers

• May's command early: If May is locating his pitches and keeping De La Cruz and the top of the Reds order from getting on base, Milwaukee can control the pace of this game.
• Discipline at the plate: Abbott will try to get hitters chasing. The Brewers need to work counts, take walks when available, and wait for pitches they can drive.
• Bullpen management: A late-September road game demands smart decisions out of the dugout. Every out from the pen matters this time of year.
• Capitalizing on scoring opportunities: Great American Ball Park can be a hitter-friendly environment. The Brewers cannot afford to strand runners when they get chances against Abbott early in the game.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Milwaukee if May is on. The Brewers have the pitching to match up with Cincinnati, and Abbott, while capable, is not unbeatable. Expect a close, competitive game that likely comes down to who manages the middle innings better. Give the slight edge to Milwaukee, 4-2, on the strength of May's arm and the Brewers' ability to grind out runs on the road. September baseball rarely goes to script, but this one sets up as a quality pitching duel with Milwaukee leaving Ohio with a win.