Game 89: Brewers at Reds

The Brewers start the second half tonight with a the first game of a 7-game road trip through Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.  It'll be Braden Looper starting for the Crew, facing off against 23-year old righty Homer Bailey, who's making his fifth start of the season.

The Brewers lead the season series, 5-3, thanks to a sweep of the Redlegs the last time they met.  The Brewers also tied the all-time series between the two teams at 93 games apiece -- with a win, the Brewers can actually improve to a winning record all-time against the Reds.

Unfortunately, it looks like Ken Macha is trying to out-Dusty Dusty Baker by continuing to hit Jason Kendall in the leadoff spot.  Tonight's lineups after the jump.

Milwaukee   Cincinnati Pos Player HR RBI AVG   Pos Player HR RBI AVG C Kendall, Jason 0 23 .233   RF Dickerson, Chris 2 13 .277 2B Counsell, Craig 2 15 .281   CF Taveras, Willy 1 12 .245 LF Braun, Ryan 16 58 .310   1B Votto, Joey 11 42 .351 1B Fielder, Prince 22 78 .315   2B Phillips, Brandon 14 60 .269 3B McGehee, Casey 6 27 .329   LF Nix, Laynce 8 23 .247 CF Cameron, Mike 14 42 .258   C Hernandez, Ramon 5 36 .253 RF Hart, Corey 9 35 .253   3B Encarnacion, Edwin 2 9 .170 SS Hardy, J.J. 10 38 .232   SS Hairston Jr., Jerry 7 25 .251 P Looper, Braden (7-4, 4.94)   P Bailey, Homer (1-0, 5.16)

St. Louis idle tonight, so the Brewers have a chance to move within two games of the Cards with a win.  Here's to hoping for a good start to the second half.  Feel free to comment on the game as it happens.

Gametime is 6:05 PM Central.