Covering the bases 9/26/2025: Reds 3, Brewers 1
Opening the final regular-season series, the Milwaukee Brewers were unable to generate any offense and lost to the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 Friday at American Family Field. The loss prevented the Brewers from wrapping up the No. 1 seed in the NL playoffs. The newly crowned NL Central champions just need one win or one Philadelphia Phillies loss in the final two games to earn that honor. The Phillies beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1. The Brewers, who have MLB's best record at 96-64, missed out on setting a club record for victories in a season. The Reds, making their own playoff push, moved back into the No. 3 NL wild-card spot as they own the tiebreaker with the New York Mets.
FIRST BASE: Ortiz defense dazzles
Sure, Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz has had more than his share of offensive struggles this season. But with the defense he plays, he more than makes up for it. Ortiz turned in two fabulous defensive plays to end innings, one in the seventh to nab Noelvi Marte and one in the ninth to barely get Matt McLain.
SECOND BASE: Myers finishes it
Right-hander Tobias Myers has had a diminished role with the Brewers this season after being a stalwart of the rotation, including starting the decisive Game 3 of the NL Division Series last year. But he reminded the Brewers of what he can do, throwing three hitless innings to finish the game. Myers walked one – with two out in the ninth – and struck out two.
THIRD BASE: Priester's streak ends
We knew it wouldn't last forever and perhaps better that it happened now rather than in the postseason, but Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester finally lost a game. Following a club-record 12 straight wins and 19 games in which the Brewers won, Priester gave up three runs in five-plus innings. He allowed nine hits and one walk, while striking out four. Priester last lost on May 13 in a 2-0 setback to the Cleveland Guardians. It wasn't all his fault. The hit that knocked him out of the game was a bouncer up the middle that deflected off second base.
HOME PLATE: Chourio makes history with 20-20 season
In his second season in the majors, Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio stands alone in yet another category: He is the youngest player in MLB history to have two 20-homer, 20-steal seasons. Chourio, who already had 20 homers, stole his 20th base of the season in the bottom of the first inning. Chourio did so at 21 years, 199 days old, surpassing Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout, who did it as a 22-year-old.
EXTRA BASES: More Gasser ... then Miz?
⚾ Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser (0-1, 6.00 ERA), bidding for a spot on the postseason roster, is the likely starter for Saturday's game opposite Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (9-7, 2.80 ERA). Gasser was solid in his first MLB start since undergoing Tommy John surgery early in the 2024 season. He allowed two runs in three innings during a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. He walked two and struck out two, with the only hit he gave up being a two-run homer. It is possible that rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski follows Gasser in what would be his first MLB relief appearance. Abbott has been the rock of the Reds' rotation this season. He also started Sunday, going 4⅔ shutout innings with five hits, one walk and two strikeouts in a 1-0 win over the Cubs.
⚾ Closer Trevor Megill and left-handed reliever DL Hall are expected to be activated this weekend. Megill, who has a strained right flexor, is scheduled to pitch Sunday, while Hall could come off the injured list Saturday following his strained right oblique. Weekend appearances would be huge in making roster decisions for the postseason.
⚾ Left-handed starter Jose Quintana, who has a strained left calf, had a 45-pitch sim game and is looking like he will be ready for the postseason.
