Los Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Cy Young front runner vs. former struggling ace
• Reds looking for a jolt of offense for the home stretch
• X-factors to watch

Dodgers vs Reds Odds

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Dodgers vs Reds Predictions and Picks

The Dodger’s offense hasn’t been what we’re accustomed to in recent weeks, but Cincinnati’s attack has struggled even more. But if you’re looking at the pitching matchup this is no contest. Walker Buehler has been almost flawless for the entire season. Luis Castillo has admittedly been better since the calendar flipped to June, but he can’t handle this Dodgers lineup. We like Los Angeles to cover the spread.

Trends to Watch (As of 9.16)

• Dodgers are 22-6 in their last 28 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5
• Dodgers are 21-6 in their last 27 vs. a team with a winning record
• Dodgers are 13-5 in their last 18 road games
• Dodgers are 43-18 in their last 61 games following an off day
• Dodgers are 10-4 in their last 14 road games vs. a right-handed starter
• Dodgers are 50-22 in their last 72 overall
• Dodgers are 9-4 in their last 13 road games vs. a team with a winning record
• Dodgers are 79-37 in their last 116 games as a road favorite
• Under is 6-0 in Dodgers last 6 games following an off day
• Under is 19-6-4 in Dodgers last 29 overall
• Under is 11-4-2 in Dodgers last 17 vs. a team with a winning record
• Dodgers are 8-3 in the last 11 head-to-head meetings in Cincinnati
• Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings
• Reds are 24-8 in their last 32 Friday games
• Reds are 8-22 in their last 30 games as a home underdog
• Reds are 1-6 in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600
• Reds are 2-6 in their last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter
• Reds are 1-4 in their last 5 overall
• Under is 7-2 in Reds last 9 home games vs. a right-handed starter
• Under is 7-2-1 in Reds last 10 overall

One of Dodgers Aces on the Mound to Highlight Pitching Matchup

He might not end up winning the 2021 NL Cy Young Award, but Walker Buehler gave it a darn good run for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 27-year-old ranks in the top five in baseball in many major categories including his 2.32 ERA (3rd), 0.95 WHIP (3rd) and 14 wins (T-4th). His 189 strikeouts ranks 11th in all of baseball but the main reason he won’t win the award is because of his first bad outing in months that happened earlier this month when he gave up six earned runs in a loss to the Giants.

Prior to that, Buehler had given up two runs or fewer and gone six innings or more in 10 consecutive starts. For perspective on just how dominant he’s been, he hasn’t given up more than eight runs in an entire month since April.

Luis Castillo on the other hand has been a roller coaster for the Reds — one that’s been more down than up as shown by his numbers. The former ace has struggled this year to a 7-15 record, with a 4.24 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 171 strikeouts in 170 innings of work.

He started out the season slow — with an ERA of 6.29 and 8.04 respectively in April and May before turning it around with ERA’s of 1.71 in June and 2.15 in July.

Water has found its level the past two months with an ERA of 4.58 in August and 3.46 so far in September.

Reds Looking for Jolt of Offense Amid Playoff Push

Cincinnati might have earned a win on Tuesday (1-0 over the Pirates technically still counts as a win) but the offense remains one of the coldest in baseball. The Reds have scored four runs or fewer in eight of their past 10 games as they begin their final homestand of the regular season.

Joey Votto is 3-for-18 in the past five games while Nick Castellanos is just 4-of-19 in that stretch.

The good news for the Big Red Machine is they’re expecting back Jesse Winker for Friday’s game. Winker is in the middle of a career year — he’s hitting .307 has a .955 OPS and career-highs in home runs (24), RBIs (71) — and was awarded to his first All-Star team in the process.

Cincinnati continues to stay afloat in the NL Wild Card race and frankly, it appears to have the most favorable schedule of all the playoff bubble teams down the stretch. Cincinnati has six games remaining against the lowly Pirates and a series with the last-place Washington Nationals.

X-Factors to Watch

For Cincinnati, the X-factor is going to be Tyler Naquin. He’s been a pleasant surprise in the second half of the season in particular, hitting .314 in 48 games with a .905 OPS.

On the flip side, he’s not one of the big names you think of when you think of this dangerous Dodgers lineup, but catcher WIll Smith has been fantastic against righties this season.

Smith is hitting .290 in those situations this season, with 19 home runs, 61 RBIs, and a .984 OPS.

How to Watch Dodgers vs Reds