Written by: Jake Turner
Jake is a veteran sports analyst with over 10 years of MLB prop betting experience.
Brewers vs Reds: Betting Preview & Props (Aug 17)
Last updated: August 17, 2025Game Time: 8/17, 01:40PM
Brief Intro
The Milwaukee Brewers face off against the Cincinnati Reds in a matchup that promises to be a compelling clash of pitching styles and batting edges. With the betting odds not available for this game, analyzing the individual matchups and key players becomes even more critical for bettors looking to gain an edge.
Pitching Preview
Pitching Matchup: Jose Quintana vs Andrew Abbott
Jose Quintana (MIL):
- Sinker (45% usage, 90.4 mph), Changeup (22% usage, 85.5 mph), Curveball (14% usage, 78.0 mph), Four-Seam (11% usage, 90.3 mph), Slurve (8% usage, 78.3 mph)
Quintana is a crafty pitcher with a heavy reliance on his sinker and changeup to induce weak contact and ground balls. The Reds lineup has averaged .259 this season but projects a .244 xBA against Quintana's versatile arsenal.
Andrew Abbott (CIN):
- Four-Seam (47% usage, 92.6 mph), Changeup (20% usage, 84.5 mph), Curveball (16% usage, 81.0 mph), Sweeper (12% usage, 82.7 mph), Cutter (5% usage, 88.6 mph)
Abbott brings a power arm with a primary focus on his four-seam fastball. While the Brewers lineup has averaged .254 this season, they project a slightly lower .245 xBA against Abbott's fastball-heavy approach.
Batting Edges vs Arsenal
Lineup Matchups & Batting Edges
For Brewers vs Andrew Abbott:
- The Brewers lineup averages .254 this season but projects to .245 vs Abbott's arsenal.
- Biggest xBA Increase: Andrew Vaughn: Season BA .245 → xBA vs arsenal .285 (+40 points), Season K% 19.5% → Arsenal K% 17.6% (-1.9%)
- Biggest xBA Decrease: Caleb Durbin: Season BA .253 → xBA vs arsenal .215 (-38 points), Season K% 9.1% → Arsenal K% 9.3% (+0.2%)
For Reds vs Jose Quintana:
- The Reds lineup averages .259 this season but projects to .244 vs Quintana's arsenal.
- Biggest xBA Increase: Austin Hays: Season BA .257 → xBA vs arsenal .288 (+31 points), Season K% 25.3% → Arsenal K% 25.0% (-0.3%)
- Biggest xBA Decrease: TJ Friedl: Season BA .271 → xBA vs arsenal .213 (-58 points), Season K% 16.8% → Arsenal K% 19.2% (+2.4%)
K-Risk Analysis
Strikeout Risks & Rewards
- The Brewers' projected K-rate is 21.0% vs Abbott — up 1.6% from their 19.4% season average.
- The Reds' projected K-rate is 23.3% vs Quintana — up 1.3% from their 22.1% season average.
Umpire Trends
Behind the Plate: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.
What to Bet On
No strikeout props meet the betting threshold given the data available.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Andrew Vaughn shows a significant batting edge against Abbott, making him a key player to watch.
- Both teams show a slight increase in strikeout rates against the opposing pitchers, but not enough to trigger a strong K prop lean.
- Umpire details are unavailable, adding uncertainty to potential betting angles.
- Focus remains on Andrew Vaughn's potential batting performance as the standout play.
🧠 FAQs
Q: Who is the best betting prop for the Brewers vs Reds game? A: Andrew Vaughn meets our strict betting criteria with a significant increase in expected batting average.
Q: Is the umpire a pitcher-friendly umpire? A: Umpire assignment has not been announced, creating uncertainty.
Q: What time is the Brewers vs Reds game? A: The game is scheduled for 8/17, 01:40PM.
---
Want more of our best props and betting analysis? Click below and join insider bets!
---
