5 reasons why the Reds can overtake the Brewers
By Bill Felber
Only a few days ago, the consensus of experts was that the Milwaukee Brewers were the surest of sure bets to win their division. They were coming off a streak of 11 consecutive victories, and they had the game’s most intimidating pitching staff.
Their usual-suspect National League Central challengers, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, cooperated by suffering through disastrous Junes. The Cards went just 10-17, the Cubs only 12-16, and the Brewers finished the month by beating the Cubs three straight by a combined 31-12.
Just to top it off the Brewers beat their nearest challengers in the NL Central, the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a seven-game All-Star break wraparound series Thursday in Milwaukee.
Fast-forward just 72 hours and the picture has changed substantially. The Brewers have lost three straight to the Reds – in Milwaukee, yet – and they go to Cincinnati next weekend sitting on a suddenly precarious four-game lead.
Worse for the once-prohibitive favorites, evidence is beginning to build that the Reds are serious about challenging the Brewers.
Much hangs on that series coming out of the All Star break. Once it’s completed, the Brewers and Reds will meet just three more times, in Milwaukee in late August.
Although the Brewers held first place through all but a few days in June, momentum is moving in Cincinnati’s direction. Since June 1, the Brewers have played at a killing 24-14 .632 pace. Yet the Reds have matched them win-for-win with an identical 24-14, .632 record since that same date, capped by those three straight victories in Milwaukee.
Here are five reasons to believe in the Reds’ chance of overtaking Milwaukee.