Milwaukee rides a 12-game win streak into Cincinnati, sharpening the edge on the NL Central pursuit and targeting a 45-16 surge since June 1. The Brew Crew rely on a potent lineup led by Christian Yelich and William Contreras, while Nick Martinez is lined up for the Reds in a high-stakes showdown that also features wild-card implications. Milwaukee’s odds-driven consistency and late-inning scoring have them as the clear favorite, with the first pitch set at Great American Ball Park on Apple TV+. This isn’t just about a single matchup; it’s a snapshot of Milwaukee’s dominant run and Cincinnati’s bid to stall the surge while clinging to playoff dreams.

On the Reds’ side, Nick Martinez anchors the expectations as Cincinnati tries to cool Milwaukee’s alert offense. Martinez brings a veteran presence, entering with a 10-9 record and a 4.49 ERA, with a recent 1.29 ERA outing against Pittsburgh suggesting he’s rounding into form. For Milwaukee, Yelich has heated up again, going 7-12 (.583) against Pittsburgh earlier in the week, and Contreras has strung together five straight games with a hit (10-18) to fuel the offense. The betting board shows Brewers as solid chalk (-145 moneyline, -1.5 spread), with the total at 9 as focus turns to the bullpen and late-inning bullpen utilization.

Matt McLain, Jose Trevino, Nick Martínez, Brent Suter, and Emilio Pagán from the Reds were spotted at the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp, sharing a moment with coach Zac Taylor. The scene highlighted a rare cross-sport gathering in Cincinnati and underscored the city’s sports culture.

The Reds are closing out their series with the Phillies tonight before welcoming the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers for a weekend set. The cameo occurs as Cincinnati balances a playoff push with high-profile interleague rivalries.

From a fantasy lens, McLain remains the Reds’ rising infield anchor, Trevino adds catching depth and defensive versatility, and Martínez, Suter, and Pagán bolster the pitching staff, potentially shaping late-game usage and multi-inning options. The crossover vibe signals depth-building and veteran presence that could influence daily lineups.

While the Bengals’ practice provided a fun backdrop, the real story for fantasy managers is how these veterans impact depth charts in the next few days. Cincinnati’s roster moves around Phillies and Brewers series should offer actionable signals on who benefits in extra-inning or late-game scenarios.

Week 20 of 2025 brings a well-defined waiver wire chorus for fantasy baseball rosters. Michael Wacha leads the shallow-league pool in Royals country, offering steady five-inning starts and a reliable path to wins without unsettling strikeout tallies. Cade Horton has seized his Cubs window with four straight quality frames and strong walk control, while Spencer Arrighetti anchors the Astros’ post-IL recovery, supported by a favorable xERA trend. Logan Henderson’s Brewers return and Nick Martinez’s bullpen-to-rotation versatility add depth, with Luis Severino re-emerging for the Athletics and providing a usable floor in multiple formats.

On the middle-to-deeper end, Slade Cecconi’s consistent, low-walk, five-innings-propensity profile makes him a smart pickup; Emmet Sheehan leverages a Dodgers rotation seat with improved miss rates; Jacob Lopez shows late-season swing-and-miss upside for the Athletics; and Justin Verlander, quietly, has posted a sub-1.00 WHIP over recent series and lands Washington and Tampa Bay in Week 20. Shane Smith’s White Sox continue to offer a usable floor, while Cristian Javier anchors the “other” bucket with solid strike-zone management.

Further down, Carson Whisenhunt, Cade Cavalli, Carlos Carrasco, and Hurston Waldrep are highlighted as longer-shot but intriguing targets in deeper leagues. Overall, active rosters should chase upside in Arrighetti, Horton, Sheehan, and Verlander while rotating in Wacha, Cecconi, and Severino for weekly streamability.

On July 30, the Dodgers look to complete a sweep against the Reds in Cincinnati, following a thrilling 5-4 win that showcased their resilience with a ninth-inning rally. The matchup features ace Shohei Ohtani taking the mound with a stunning 1.50 ERA against Reds' Nick Martinez, who has a 4.69 ERA. This game presents a critical moment for both teams; the Dodgers aim to regain momentum after a mediocre stretch post-All-Star break, while the Reds are strong at home, boasting a 7-3 record in their last ten games. Key betting insights suggest the Dodgers are favored, but some experts lean towards the Reds at +1.5.

Ohtani's performance has been stellar yet brief this season, with all games under three innings pitched. Despite this, the Dodgers have managed a 4-2 record with him on the mound. As for Martinez, he aims to stabilize his form after allowing two earned runs in his last outing. For fantasy players and bettors, this game adds layers of intrigue, particularly with Ohtani's potential and the Dodgers' need to assert themselves against a competitive Reds squad.