The Milwaukee Brewers travel to Cincinnati for a Saturday evening showdown against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET on September 5, 2026. Dustin May takes the hill for Milwaukee against Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup deep into the regular season. With September baseball in full swing and every game carrying added weight in the standings, this is exactly the kind of road contest the Brewers need to approach with sharpness and urgency.
Brewers at Reds: Saturday September 5, 2026 Pitching Matchup
Dustin May draws the start for Milwaukee. The right-hander has had an unconventional path through his career — battling injuries but showing the kind of live arm that keeps him in rotation conversations when healthy. A strong outing on the road against a divisional rival would go a long way toward establishing his footing in this rotation down the stretch.
On the other side, Andrew Abbott is a legitimate challenge for any visiting lineup. The Reds southpaw has shown the ability to miss bats with a deceptive arsenal, and Milwaukee hitters will need to stay disciplined early in counts to work deep into at-bats and make Abbott work. Left-handed pitching has historically presented challenges for stretches of the Brewers lineup, so the game plan against Abbott will bear watching from the first inning.
Keys to Watch for Milwaukee
- May's command early: If May can establish his fastball and keep Cincinnati's lineup off-balance through the first three or four innings, Milwaukee's bullpen depth becomes a real asset late in the game.
- Discipline against Abbott: Abbott can be dominant when he gets ahead in counts. The Brewers need patient at-bats, working for pitches to drive rather than chasing off the plate.
- Running game and small ball: Great American Ball Park can play differently depending on conditions. Milwaukee should look to manufacture runs through baserunning and situational hitting if Abbott is keeping the ball in the park.
- Bullpen management: September rosters give managers more options. How Pat Murphy deploys his relievers behind May could define the middle and late innings.
Broadcast Information
Milwaukee fans can catch the game on Brewers.TV Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook or listen on WTMJ 620 AM. Cincinnati-side coverage is available on Reds.TV and WLW 700 AM.
Prediction
This one figures to be a tightly contested game. Abbott is a capable arm who can make life difficult for visiting lineups, and May will need to be at his best to keep the Reds offense in check at a hitter-friendly park. That said, Milwaukee has the pitching depth and lineup versatility to steal a road win here. Look for a low-scoring affair that comes down to a few key at-bats in the sixth or seventh inning. Edge: Brewers 4, Reds 3.
