There was no understating the importance when the Cincinnati Reds won three of four games against the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of the All-Star break.
The Reds picked up two games in the standings and carried momentum into this weekend's series at Great American Ball Park. The Reds will play three more games against the Brewers, the first time they've played seven consecutive games against one team since, coincidentally, the Brewers from June 30-July 4, 1953.
The starting rotation for the weekend series was announced Thursday afternoon. Tyler Mahle will pitch Friday's series opener, followed by Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray.