The Reds claimed a 12-8 victory over the Brewers in the regular season on Saturday evening, adding another chapter to what has been an increasingly familiar rivalry this autumn.
There was nothing particularly tidy about the affair, but then again, neither side has been tidy in their recent outings. The Reds had just dropped a 7-10 decision to the Brewers the day before, and before that, they were on the receiving end of a 5-0 hammering from the Padres. The Brewers, meanwhile, had been trading blows with the Reds in what's becoming a pattern of late.
Looking at the form, the Brewers came into this one having won three of their last five, including a 10-7 victory over the Reds on Friday. The Reds, by contrast, had taken two from three against the Padres before that loss. So when you put the pieces together, a 12-8 win for the hosts doesn't come as a complete surprise, though the margin might have.
What stands out is the frequency with which these two sides have crossed paths recently. September has seen them meet at least three times already, and each encounter has produced runs in plenty. If there's a trend here, it's that neither team is particularly keen on keeping things quiet.
The Reds now sit with momentum after back-to-back wins over their divisional opponents, something that could matter come playoff positioning. The Brewers, having dropped the second of those two, will be looking to regroup before their next assignment. For now, the scoreboard tells the story: twelve to eight, Reds at home.