Brewers vs Pirates predictions
With the Milwaukee Brewers heading into this matchup, I’ve got my eye on a few key bats that could make a real difference at PNC Park. William Contreras has been pretty reliable lately, and I’d expect him to collect at least a hit or two, maybe even draw a couple of walks to help set the table. Rhys Hoskins, swinging a steady .292, feels due for a shot at going deep—don’t be surprised if you see him drive in a run and potentially add a double to his day. Christian Yelich keeps flashing glimpses of his MVP form, so I’m projecting a handful of productive at-bats from him as well, maybe reaching base twice including a potential stolen base. And with Logan Henderson on the mound, the Brewers’ strikeout game could get a boost—it wouldn’t shock me to see him rack up six or seven K’s across five solid innings.
On the Pirates’ side, the vibes around Oneil Cruz are hard to ignore—he’s got the kind of power that can flip a game in just one swing, so slotting him in for a homer or at least a couple of hard-hit balls seems reasonable. Bryan Reynolds has been one of the steadier hands in the lineup, and I’d expect him to notch another RBI and collect a couple of hits, just doing his usual thing. Andrew McCutchen might not be the speedster he once was, but he’s still got the eye and bat-to-ball skills to find his way on base and cause headaches for Brewers pitchers. Bailey Falter has a chance to keep the Pirates competitive; look for him to work into the fifth or sixth and keep the run total in check, if he finds his rhythm early.
All told, this game feels like it’ll be tight throughout, with both squads putting pressure on the opposing pitchers. The Brewers’ balanced offense and extra pop, especially with Contreras and Hoskins heating up, could just give them the nudge they need. If Henderson can keep Cruz and Reynolds in check, Milwaukee’s depth should be enough to help them even the series. My gut says the Brewers bounce back and snag the win, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see Pittsburgh make things interesting, especially if the home crowd gets behind them. What’s baseball without a little drama down to the last out, right?
