The Cincinnati Reds (19-26) and Los Angeles Dodgers (30-17) play the 3rd contest of a 4-Game series Saturday at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 9:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Reds vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
After a surprising 7-2 win as heavy +260 underdogs in the series opener, the Reds were on the short end of a 7-3 score Saturday night as the Dodgers got to the bullpen for 2 runs to break a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 7th inning, tacking on 2 more runs to please Over (8.5) bettors in the 8th.
Despite the good feelings after Friday’s game, Cincinnati is now just 3-13 in the past 16 games while going 3-10 in the previous 13 tries against NL West clubs.
After seeing a 7-Game home win streak snapped, Dodger Blue got back on track and is now 8-1 in the past 9 outings at Chavez Ravine. The offense got back on track, too, as L.A. had plated just 3 runs in the previous 2 Games before the 7-run explosion. As such, the Dodgers avoided tying a season-high 3-Game losing skid.
Reds at Dodgers projected starters
RHP Graham Ashcraft vs. RHP Walker Buehler
Ashcraft (3-2, 4.12 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.44 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 in 43 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K in 6-5 road loss vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Monday
- 2024 road splits: 1-1, 2.25 ERA (28 IP, 7 ER), 1.29 WHIP, .255 opponents’ batting average, 8 BB, 23 K in 5 starts
Buehler (1-1, 7.36 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.77 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 7 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 HR, 2 BB, 2 K in 4-0 defeat at San Diego Padres Sunday
- 2024 home splits: 0-0, 6.75 ERA (4 IP, 3 ER), 6 H, 1 HR, 0 BB, 4 K (77 pitches) in 1 start, a 6-3 win vs. Miami Marlins May 6
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Reds at Dodgers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Dodgers -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-115) | Dodgers -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Reds at Dodgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Reds 5, Dodgers 4
Moneyline
The REDS (+170) are a solid play behind Ashcraft, especially for the chance to nearly double up.
Cincinnati has been a thorn in the side of Los Angeles in the past year or so, and Ashcraft has performed markedly better on the road than he has at Great American Ball Park.
For the Dodgers (-210), Buehler is making just his 3rd start since returning from a lengthy rehab process following Tommy John surgery, and he just isn’t going very deep into games yet. That’s OK, and he likely will get back to decent form eventually, but risking more than 2 times your potential return on his current form is not recommended. Take a chance on Cincinnati.
Run line/Against the spread
The REDS +1.5 (-115) are still a decent value if you’re a conservative bettor who just can’t roll the dice on the heavy underdog straight up.
Cincinnati has struggled to get wins consistently, but it has been pesky to Los Angeles. The pitching matchup is in favor of the visitors, so take advantage.
Over/Under
OVER 8 (-115) is the lean, but go lightly with a half-unit play at most.
The Over is 4-2 in the past 6 games for the Reds, with the offense going for 5 or more runs in 4 of those outings. Cincinnati should be able to get to Buehler for a few runs in the early going.
We’ve had 9.5 combined runs per game in the first 2 games of this series, including 10 runs scored Friday night.
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