The Cincinnati Reds host the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park for a 6:10 PM ET first pitch. Rhett Lowder gets the ball for Cincinnati, squaring off against left-hander Shane Drohan for Milwaukee. With the regular season winding down, every game between these two NL Central rivals carries real weight. Fans can catch the action on Reds.TV or listen on WLW 700 AM.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Rhett Lowder vs. Shane Drohan
Rhett Lowder draws the Friday night assignment for the Reds. The young right-hander has been part of Cincinnati's pitching future, and a start of this magnitude — at home against a division rival in September — is exactly the stage where he can make his case as a cornerstone of this rotation. His command and ability to pitch deep into games will be critical against a Brewers lineup that historically grinds at-bats and works pitch counts.
Shane Drohan gets the nod for Milwaukee. The left-hander gives the Brewers a different look on the mound, and Cincinnati's hitters will need to make adjustments early. Left-handed starters can be tricky for lineups built to attack right-handed pitching, so the Reds' approach in the first two times through the order will set the tone for the night.
Keys to Watch for the Cincinnati Reds
- Lowder's command early: Getting ahead in counts against Milwaukee's patient lineup will be essential. If Lowder is spotting his fastball and mixing his secondaries effectively, he can keep the Brewers off-balance through six innings.
- Reds offense against a left-hander: Cincinnati will need to identify Drohan's tendencies quickly. Working counts, staying through the ball, and not chasing early in the game will be the difference between a productive night and a quiet one.
- Bullpen depth: September rosters are expanded, and how manager David Bell deploys his relievers in a division game matters. Keeping the matchup advantages in the late innings is a priority.
- Home crowd energy: Great American Ball Park in September, with the NL Central race in focus, is a genuine advantage. The Reds play better at home when the crowd is locked in, and a Friday night atmosphere should deliver that.
Prediction
This shapes up as a pitchers' duel in the early going, with both Lowder and Drohan capable of keeping runs off the board. The edge goes to the Reds at home, where the familiar environment and crowd support give Cincinnati a tangible lift. Look for the Reds to find a way to string together enough offense in the middle innings to hand Lowder a lead and let the bullpen close it out. Reds win, 3-2.
