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The Cincinnati Reds will attempt to avoid the sweep as they complete a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Red-Dodgers prediction and pick.
The Dodgers defeated the Reds 5-2 on Saturday night to take the series with Cincinnati. Now, they hope to accomplish to four-game sweep as they host the Reds at Dodgers Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The game was scoreless for the first five-and-a-half innings when Trea Turner came up to bat in the bottom of the sixth. Turner clobbered a 99 MPH 1-1 fastball from Hunter Greene into the seats in left field. It was his first home run of the season, and it put the Dodgers up 2-0. Los Angeles tacked on three more runs to give themselves a 5-0 lead heading into the ninth inning. Conversely, the Reds did not wilt away easily as they scored two in the ninth. Ultimately, Daniel Hudson entered the game and shut the door on the comeback, finishing off a Dodgers victory.
Greene lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing the home run as the only markers on his ledger. Meanwhile, Julio Urias went five innings, not allowing a run on one hit with five strikeouts. He took the no-decision. The Reds are 2-7, and at the bottom of the NL Central, Also, Cincinnati has lost five games in a row. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are 6-2 and in a first-place tie with the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies. Conversely, Los Angeles has won five games in a row.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Reds-Dodgers MLB odds:
MLB Odds: Reds-Dodgers Odds
Reds: +1.5 (-111)
Dodgers: -1.5 (-108)
Over: 8.5 (-120)
Under: 8.5 (-102)
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Why The Reds Will Cover The Spread
Cincinnati will go with Tyler Mahle on the hill. He is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 2022. However, he lasted four innings allowing one earned run and four hits in his last start. Mahle will look for a better performance this time around.
Mahle faced the Dodgers almost one year ago. He lasted 5 1/3 innings allowing one earned run on five hits while walking two batters. Ultimately, he gives the Reds the best chance with Luis Castillo still recovering from an injury. Mahle is a strikeout pitcher with a devastating splitter that leaves hitters guessing. In addition to that, the velocity on his fastball keeps rising. The problem over his first starts has been the pitch count. Because of this, he has yet to last longer than five innings. Mahle must locate his pitches to keep the count down. Also, he cannot let monster hitters like Mookie Betts or Max Muncy burn him.
The Reds need to strike against Andrew Heaney early. Thus, Joey Votto must hold his end of the bargain. The slugger is batting .129 and struck out three times last night. Also, he has yet to hit a home run this season. Facing Heaney could give him the recipe to change that.
The Reds will cover the spread if Mahle can limit the pitch count and keep the Dodgers hitters off balance. Additionally, Votto and the Reds must strike early against Heaney.
Why The Dodgers Will Cover The Spread
Los Angeles will look for their sixth victory in a row. The Dodgers hope Heaney can eat some innings for them. He has always had a problem with keeping balls in the yard. However, Heaney is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA as he allowed one unearned run on three hits against the Minnesota Twins in his last start. Now, Heaney hopes to continue the momentum he built and lead the Dodgers to victory.
The Dodgers must score to support Heaney. They could not muster a run until the sixth inning last night. Hence, Turner is the man that makes the Dodgers go. If he can continue to spark Los Angeles, the offense will throw Mahle off and take the Reds out early. In addition to Turner, Muncy needs to emerge. He is hitting .148 this season. He must improve his hitting consistency to spark the Dodgers. Also, the Dodgers will look for more from Cody Bellinger. He is batting .286 in 2022 and has gone 4 for 10 throughout the series against Cincinnati. Bellinger must contribute.
The Dodgers will cover the spread if they get a quality start for Heaney. Additionally, Los Angeles needs its best hitters to come through and not allow Mahle to get into a rhythm.
Final Reds-Dodgers Prediction & Pick
The Reds need to break out of their slump and have the perfect pitcher to do it. The Southern California native has been solid for the Reds over his first few seasons, producing an ERA under four. Now, he will help the Reds out of their slump and shock the Dodgers. If anything, the Reds cover the spread and might even win the game.
Final Reds-Dodgers Prediction & Pick: Reds: +1.5 (-111)
