Baseball fans in Milwaukee and across the country are glued to their screens as the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers face off at American Family Field on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The Brewers, riding high with an 82-50 record, are looking to complete a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks, who have stumbled to a 64-68 mark and are desperate to halt a frustrating losing streak. With the Brewers taking the first two games of the series—7-5 and a dramatic 9-8 walk-off—the stakes for this matchup couldn’t be higher for both clubs.
Arizona, mired in a three-game skid and sporting a 4-7 record over their last 11 outings, has been scrambling to find answers, especially on the pitching front. Before Wednesday’s game, the Diamondbacks made several roster moves, aiming to shore up their bullpen and inject some fresh energy into the clubhouse. Right-hander Taylor Rashi received the call-up from Triple-A Reno, stepping in after Juan Morillo was optioned back to Reno. Morillo’s struggles in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s loss—loading the bases with a hit and two walks—proved costly, and manager Torey Lovullo didn’t mince words about the young pitcher’s development. “He’s got a few things to work on, he’s getting pretty close,” Lovullo said. “He’s still cutting his teeth, he’s still figuring out exactly who he is and his strengths and some of the limitations he needs to work on.”
In another roster tweak, infielder Tristin English was designated for assignment. English, who made his major league debut earlier this season, saw action in seven games but now finds himself in roster limbo as the Diamondbacks search for the right mix during a challenging stretch.
On the mound for Arizona, Ryne Nelson (6-3, 3.63 ERA) gets the nod. Nelson’s recent performances have been a blend of promise and frustration. In his last start on August 22 against Cincinnati, he allowed three runs on four hits, striking out six and walking two over six innings. Curiously, Nelson has left the game with a lead in four consecutive starts, but the Diamondbacks have managed to win just one of those games—a statistic that’s as baffling as it is frustrating for fans and the coaching staff alike. Nelson’s history against the Brewers offers some insight: he started in Milwaukee on June 20, 2023, and gave up three earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts in five innings. The Brewers’ lineup has seen him before, but can they capitalize again?
Milwaukee, meanwhile, made a late adjustment to their pitching plans. Left-hander Aaron Ashby (2-1, 2.09 ERA) was tapped to start, replacing the initially announced Quinn Priester. Ashby has been a bullpen stalwart this season, logging 28 appearances and two saves, with an impressive 53 strikeouts and 17 walks. Opponents are hitting just .216 against him. Ashby’s most recent outing against the Diamondbacks came on August 25, when he tossed 1⅔ innings and struck out five—a testament to his swing-and-miss stuff. Whether he can stretch out as a starter remains to be seen, but the Brewers’ faith in his arm is clear.
As for the odds, the Brewers entered the matchup as favorites: Milwaukee -152 on the moneyline, with the Diamondbacks at +128. The spread sat at Brewers -1.5, and the total was set at 8.0 runs. NBC Sports Bet recommended a play on the Brewers’ moneyline, while leaning toward the Diamondbacks at +1.5 on the spread, reflecting the tight margins and unpredictable nature of this series. The Brewers have been nearly unbeatable at home lately, going 9-2 in their last 11 games at American Family Field, while Arizona has failed to cover the run line in four straight road contests—a trend that has bettors and fans alike questioning whether the D-Backs can turn things around.
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen situation remains a work in progress. Taylor Rashi, called up from Reno, will be available for relief duties, marking his first potential big-league appearance. Meanwhile, reliever Ryan Thompson continues his rehab assignment in Reno after feeling awkward during his initial warm-up but ultimately delivering a scoreless, one-hit inning. Thompson is scheduled to throw again on August 29, and his return from the 15-day injured list could provide a much-needed boost for an Arizona pen that’s been stretched thin.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks’ schedule doesn’t get any easier. After wrapping up their series in Milwaukee, they’ll head to Los Angeles for a tough three-game set against the Dodgers. On August 28, Arizona is set to send either Nabil Crismatt (1-0, 1.00 ERA) or a to-be-announced starter against Brewers lefty José Quintana (10-4, 3.32 ERA). Then it’s Zac Gallen (9-13, 5.13 ERA) vs. Dodgers ace Blake Snell (3-2, 1.97 ERA) on August 29, followed by Eduardo Rodriguez (5-8, 5.67 ERA) against Tyler Glasnow (1-2, 3.36 ERA) on August 30. For a team struggling to find its footing, the upcoming road trip could prove pivotal.
Back to the present, the Brewers are eager to keep their momentum rolling. After securing a walk-off win on Tuesday and grabbing a 3-2 lead in the season series, Milwaukee has every reason to feel confident. Their balanced attack and deep bullpen have been the difference-makers, and with Ashby getting the start, manager Craig Counsell is hoping to keep the Diamondbacks’ bats at bay once more.
For Arizona, tonight’s game is about more than just breaking a losing streak—it’s about regaining confidence, finding stability in the bullpen, and proving they can compete with playoff-bound teams. The roster moves and pitching adjustments signal a club that’s not ready to throw in the towel, even as the odds stack up against them.
With first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM EST and broadcast on ARID and FDSNWI, all eyes will be on American Family Field to see if the Brewers can finish the sweep or if the Diamondbacks can finally flip the script. As the action unfolds, one thing’s for sure—this series has delivered drama, and tonight’s matchup promises even more intrigue as both teams fight for their postseason dreams.