"It was a big game and we definitely needed to win it," said Brewers manager Ned Yost after Friday's loss. "But seven games in two months are very doable."
Friday's loss left the Brewers seven games back of the Wild Card-leading Reds, causing the importance of the series to escalate even more.
"This is probably our biggest series," Geoff Jenkins said. "We've got a chance to make up ground, so this is obviously huge. You want all of them, but it doesn't work that way. We just have to get on a run here, because we have good players."
The Brewers might need to start wearing name tags in the clubhouse after adding four new players this week. Since Tuesday, they've added Tony Graffanino, Kevin Mench, Francisco Cordero and now, after Friday's game, the Brewers added Phillies third baseman David Bell.
"Bell gives us another professional-type player," Yost said. "He's a solid defender and he'll put the ball in play. He'll do the things that are going to help you win ballgames."
The Brewers will send out left-hander Doug Davis to face the Reds. His last start against Cincinnati took place on July 4 at Miller Park, with the Brewers earning a 5-2 victory. Davis threw 8 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out five.
Pitching matchup
MIL: LHP Doug Davis (6-6, 5.01 ERA)
Davis wasn't sharp in his last outing on Monday against Pittsburgh, but picked up the win thanks to the offense pounding out 12 runs. Davis has already made four starts against the Reds this season, going 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA.
CIN: RHP Justin Germano (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Germano will make his sixth career Major League start on Saturday and his first for the Reds. Germano began the season in Triple-A Louisville and has gone 8-6 with a 3.69 ERA.
Player to Watch:
Mench arrived at Miller Park during the bottom of the eighth inning of Friday's game and did not play. The left fielder likely will start in his first game as a Brewer on Saturday. He hit .284 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs in 87 games for the Rangers this season.