The Milwaukee Brewers host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, September 11, 2026, at American Family Field with first pitch scheduled for 7:45 PM ET. Dustin May gets the ball for the Brewers against lefty Andrew Abbott, who starts for Cincinnati in what shapes up as a pitcher's duel worth watching late in the regular season. The game is available on Apple TV and on radio via WTMJ 620 in Milwaukee and WLW 700 in Cincinnati.

Brewers vs. Reds Pitching Matchup: Dustin May vs. Andrew Abbott

Dustin May draws the start for Milwaukee. The veteran right-hander has been part of the Brewers' rotation this season, and Friday's outing gives him a chance to anchor a pivotal late-season home date. The Brewers will need May to eat innings and limit an athletic Cincinnati lineup that is capable of manufacturing runs in multiple ways.

Andrew Abbott gets the call for the Reds. The left-hander has been a fixture in Cincinnati's rotation and presents a genuine challenge for a Milwaukee lineup that will need to make adjustments against his arsenal. Abbott's ability to miss bats makes him one of the more interesting starters the Brewers have seen in this stretch of the schedule.

Milwaukee Brewers Starting Lineup for September 11

• 1. Jackson Chourio, LF
• 2. Brice Turang, 2B
• 3. William Contreras, C
• 4. Andrew Vaughn, DH
• 5. Jake Bauers, 1B
• 6. Luis Lara, RF
• 7. Cooper Pratt, SS
• 8. Garrett Mitchell, CF
• 9. Joey Ortiz, 3B

Cincinnati Reds Starting Lineup for September 11

• 1. Héctor Rodríguez, RF
• 2. Elly De La Cruz, SS
• 3. Sal Stewart, 1B
• 4. JJ Bleday, LF
• 5. Tyler Stephenson, C
• 6. Eugenio Suárez, DH
• 7. Carlos Jorge, CF
• 8. Matt McLain, 2B
• 9. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B

Keys to Watch in This Brewers-Reds Matchup

Jackson Chourio Setting the Table

Chourio leads off and is the engine for this Milwaukee offense. How he performs against Abbott in the early at-bats will set the tone for the entire evening. If Chourio gets on base and forces Abbott to work, the middle of the Brewers' order gets better pitches to hit.

Containing Elly De La Cruz

Elly De La Cruz batting second for Cincinnati is a genuine headache for any pitching staff. His combination of speed and raw power means that May cannot afford to let him reach base cheaply. De La Cruz on the bases changes the game's dynamic immediately, and Milwaukee's defense will need to be sharp behind May.

William Contreras as the Anchor

Batting third, William Contreras is Milwaukee's most reliable run producer in this lineup construction. His ability to drive in Chourio and Turang when they reach base is critical. A big night from Contreras would go a long way toward securing a win.

Prediction: Brewers Win a Close One at Home

American Family Field gives Milwaukee a genuine edge on a Friday night with a crowd behind them. May needs to get through five or six strong innings, and if the bullpen can hold what the offense provides, this feels like a Brewers win. The lineup has enough in the top half — Chourio, Turang, and Contreras — to scratch out two or three runs against Abbott, and that may be enough. Brewers 3, Reds 2.