The Cincinnati Reds host the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, September 5, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Andrew Abbott gets the ball for Cincinnati against Milwaukee's Dustin May in what figures to be a quality pitching matchup between two NL Central rivals. With the calendar deep into September, every game carries added weight in the standings, making this a contest neither club can afford to take lightly. Coverage is available on Reds.TV and WLW 700 AM for fans tuning in from home.
Probable Pitchers: Andrew Abbott vs. Dustin May
Andrew Abbott draws the start for the Reds, continuing what has been a pivotal role in Cincinnati's rotation. Abbott is a left-handed pitcher whose ability to generate swings and misses gives the Reds a legitimate weapon in a game of this magnitude. His command and stuff will be tested against a Brewers lineup that has been a constant thorn in Cincinnati's side over the years.
On the other side, Dustin May gets the assignment for Milwaukee. May is a hard-throwing right-hander with a track record of eating innings when healthy. His sinker-heavy approach can be particularly effective at suppressing the kind of extra-base damage that makes Great American Ball Park such a hitter-friendly environment. The Reds' lineup will need to be patient and look to work counts early.
Keys to Watch in Saturday's Game
Abbott's Command Against a Disciplined Milwaukee Lineup
Abbott's success hinges on his ability to locate his fastball and keep Milwaukee's hitters off-balance. When he is hitting his spots, he is difficult to square up. A shaky command night, however, can unravel quickly in a ballpark that plays as generously as Great American Ball Park does for hitters. The Reds need length from their starter here.
How Cincinnati's Offense Handles May's Ground-Ball Game
Dustin May's sinker makes him a ground-ball machine, which means the Reds will need to look for pitches they can elevate. Getting men on base early and forcing May to work out of the stretch is the blueprint. Cincinnati's lineup has the firepower to do damage if they get pitches to hit, but May will not make it easy.
Bullpen Management Late
In tight September games between division rivals, the back end of the bullpen often decides the outcome. How each manager navigates the middle innings — and which arms are available — could be the difference between a win and a loss in what figures to be a close game.
- Abbott's command and pitch efficiency early in the game
- Cincinnati's ability to elevate the ball against May's sinker
- Bullpen availability and leverage decisions in the late innings
- Defensive execution in a ballpark where errors can be costly
Prediction
This is the kind of September game Great American Ball Park was made for. Two solid starters, a division rivalry with real stakes, and a crowd that will be locked in from the first pitch. Abbott has the ability to keep Milwaukee's lineup in check long enough for Cincinnati to scratch out a lead, and the Reds take this one in a low-scoring affair. Reds 3, Brewers 2.
