Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jun 24

Brewers Face Reds With 2 Unpredictable Starters as NL Central Leaders Sit Nearly 20 Games Over .500

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jun 24

Brewers Face Reds With 2 Unpredictable Starters as NL Central Leaders Sit Nearly 20 Games Over .500

Q: Will Cincinnati's new batting drills spark a late-season playoff run?

Probably not, at least not on the evidence available now. The Reds have made changes to batting practice, with Terry Francona and hitting coach Chris Valaika emphasizing more game-like drills to address an offense that has lagged most of the season. But there is no clear evidence yet that those drills have produced a sustained turnaround. Cincinnati remains under .500, ranks in the lower third of MLB in runs and slugging, and has spent much of the year fighting inconsistent production. The broader playoff picture also works against them. As of late June, the Reds are several games out of the final National League Wild Card spot, and public projections cited in the available reporting range from modest to very low postseason odds. FanGraphs had them around 28% earlier in the season, but more recent estimates in the provided material put them closer to 3%, reflecting how much ground they have lost. For a real late-season push, Cincinnati likely needs more than better batting drills. It needs healthier pitching, especially with injuries affecting the rotation, and more reliable offense around core players such as Elly De La Cruz. The bullpen and occasional strong stretches, including a recent 4-2 week, offer some hope, but that is not the same as evidence of a breakout. So the drills may help at the margins, but based on the Reds’ record, offensive profile, and playoff odds, a serious late-season run still looks unlikely without a much broader improvement.

Q: Can MLB's lowest home run-hitting team actually contend for a World Series title?

Yes — but it is much harder in the modern game. The 2026 Brewers are the clearest example. Milwaukee has the fewest home runs in MLB, yet sits atop the NL Central at 51-29 and remains a top-10 run-scoring club. It has done that by getting on base, avoiding strikeouts, stealing bases, bunting, and hitting exceptionally well with runners in scoring position. That profile shows a team does not need power to be a legitimate contender over 162 games. There is historical precedent for this. Several World Series champions finished last in home runs, including the 1906 White Sox, 1924 Senators, 1965 Dodgers, 1982 Cardinals and 2012 Giants. Those teams generally shared the same traits: strong pitching, reliable defense, speed, and an ability to manufacture runs rather than wait for the three-run homer. That said, the postseason raises the degree of difficulty. Recent champions have tended to pair strong pitching with real power, and playoff games often turn on one swing because elite October pitching makes rallies harder to build. Even analysis tied to Milwaukee’s profile suggests that while low-power teams can win consistently in the regular season, a “power edge” is still valuable for a deep October run. So the answer is yes: the lowest home run-hitting team can contend for a World Series. But to actually win it, that team usually needs elite pitching, airtight defense, and near-perfect execution — and it may still benefit from adding more power before October.

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 24

Milwaukee enters Cincinnati as the clear NL Central frontrunner, sitting nearly 20 games over .500 while the Reds remain below .500 and chasing a Wild Card path.
Shane Drohan and Rhett Lowder make the matchup hard to project: Drohan has made five starts and topped six innings only once, while Lowder is 3-4 with a 4.82 ERA and has reached six innings in just three of 11 outings.
Lowder has been sharper at home with a 3.22 ERA in four starts, though he missed time between May and June with an injury; Drohan has never faced a Reds hitter.
Cincinnati's broader profile adds to the uncertainty, with a .225 team batting average and a 4.49 ERA suggesting needs for both another bat and another arm.
Milwaukee still holds the bullpen edge, making the game look tighter early than late even with the Brewers carrying the stronger overall roster.