Cincinnati Reds have not been known for their pitching this season. Actually if they had a decent staff, Reds would probably be a near .500 team with their potent offense. Luis Castillo might be the ace they’ve been looking for since Johnny Cueto was traded away a few years ago. He’s become one of the young stars of baseball this summer. To no one’s surprise, Castillo dominated the Brewers offense with 10 strikeouts in eight innings.

Brewers offense continues to be a mess
There’s not much more we can say about how bad this offense has been in the second half. If you put their offense in the first half, and their pitching in the second half, this would be one of the best teams in baseball. We need to start asking questions about Darnell Coles. The original adjustments were made for some hitters, but the next adjustments after are not happening. Can this offense find itself in Chicago? It’s a million dollar question that might only result in an answer worth a penny.

Josh Hader has a nice bounceback inning while Knebel struggles
Good to see Josh Hader get an inning back to feel good in a low leverage situation where he struck out two batters in one inning of work. Corey Knebel did not have a similar fate as the Brewers closer gave up a home run to Jose Peraza. Knebel hadn’t pitched since Saturday, and the move Craig Counsell made to go Hader before Knebel on Monday looks like one of his worst in awhile. I’m sure Knebel will be fine, but it still made no fucking sense.

Matt Garza was Matt Garza
Simply put, Milwaukee can no longer have him on the team. I don’t care that he is a leader. He is not helping the ball club. Later, skater.

Next up
Brewers-Cubs under the bright lights of Wrigley for the first Friday night game for the Cubs. John Lackey goes for Chicago. He’s been relatively good in the past few months and put up a big outing versus the Crew last time he saw them. Milwaukee sends Jimmy Nelson to the mound. Brewers called on Nelson to be a streak stopper on a couple occasions, and it hasn’t worked out.

Charlie.