Expect a lot of cool breezes when Brewers host Reds

If you like strikeouts, you’re going to probably love this weekend’s series between Milwaukee and Cincinnati.

The Reds and Brewers pitching staffs rank 1-2 in strikeouts per nine innings in the majors thus far in the shortened 2020 season.

Of the 15 pitchers on Milwaukee’s current roster, 10 are averaging 10.0 K/9 or better and two others, including, amazingly, Josh Hader, are at 9.0 K/9 – which is the MLB average (by the way, the league’s average in 2019 was 8.9 K/9).

Overall, the Brewers are fanning 11.02 batters per nine innings. Here’s how it shapes up among the 15 pitchers on the current roster:

Cincinnati pitchers have been even better, whiffing 12.19 batters per 9. Three members of the Reds’ current rotation all are above 13.0 K/9 – Trevor Bauer (13.5), Luis Castillo (13.8) and Sonny Gray (13.5).

Seven Cincinnati relievers have a K/9 of higher than 11.0.

However, on the flip side the Reds’ bullpen has posted an inflated 7.65 ERA and 1.525 WHIP over 40 innings this season – having served up 11 home runs – while Brewers’ relievers own a 3.89 ERA and 1.176 WHIP over 41 2/3 innings.

In other words, don’t turn off your TV if Milwaukee happens to trail in any game.

Other notes:

— Since 2017, Milwaukee is 35-22 (.614) against Cincinnati, which is the second-highest winning percentage of any NL Central matchup over that span, trailing just St. Louis over Pittsburgh (38-22, .633).

— Cincinnati has scored 43.8% of its runs, fourth highest in MLB, via the home run. Milwaukee is at 33.3%, tied for third lowest. The major-league average is 43.0%.

Statistics courtesy Sportradar and baseball-reference.com