Milwaukee rode MLB’s best record (97 wins) to NLDS home-field advantage against Chicago, with Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester set to start Games 1 and 2. William Contreras’ bruised hand is being managed, but he’s expected to play through the pain. With Quintana and Woodruff sidelined late, Milwaukee must lean on depth, health, and timely hitting to outlast the Cubs.

Contreras anchors Milwaukee’s lineup at a .260/.355/.399 clip with 17 homers and 76 RBI, and his presence behind the plate remains critical even if not at 100%. The Brewers’ path hinges on a sharp rotation, solid defense, and bullpen leverage to push for an NLCS return not seen since 2018. Game 1 kicks off Saturday at 1:08 p.m. ET.

Cincinnati beat Milwaukee to snap a long Brewers run tied to Priester’s starts, shifting the NL Wild Card chase. The Reds now control their own fate for the final NL Wild Card spot, holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over New York. With two games left, Reds need to match the Mets’ results; a Saturday Reds win coupled with a Mets loss clinches a playoff berth. If both sides win Saturday, Sunday decides, and Reds must avoid a Mets win to stay in. A tense finish awaits.

Cincinnati Reds snapped Milwaukee's momentum, nudging back into the NL third wild-card position behind a five-inning, three-earned-run showing from Quinn Priester. He scattered nine hits, walked once, and struck out four before leaving with the Brewers down 2-1.

The loss drops Priester to 13-3 and ends a 16-start stretch (plus three relief appearances) in which Milwaukee won when he pitched, keeping Cincinnati in striking distance in a tight playoff chase.