Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers odds, picks and predictions

The Cincinnati Reds (18-25) and Los Angeles Dodgers (29-16) open a 4-game series Thursday at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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: First meeting; Reds won 4-2 last season

The Reds have dropped 4 of 6 games to begin their current 10-game road trip which wraps up in Los Angeles. Cincinnati lost 2 of 3 games in both San Francisco and Arizona to start the journey.

Cincinnati is just 2-9 in the past 11 games against NL West opponents.

The Dodgers picked up 2 wins in 3 games against the rival Giants on the road to start the week, cashing the Over in 2 of those outings. Los Angeles went 3-3 in a quick 6-game road trip in San Diego and San Francisco prior to this series.

At home, L.A. has won 7 in a row, including a 3-game sweep in a marquee matchup with the Atlanta Braves May 3-5.

Reds at Dodgers projected starters

LHP Brent Suter vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow

Suter (0-0, 3.86 ERA) makes his 1st start and 18th appearance. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 25 2/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K in 3-2 home win in 11 innings vs. Minnesota Twins Oct. 1, 2023, with Colorado Rockies
• Last road start: Loss, 2 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 6-1 road defeat vs. Miami Marlins May 7, 2021, with Milwaukee Brewers

Glasnow (6-1, 2.53 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 0.86 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 11.5 K/9 in 57 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 1 ER, 1 H (solo HR), 2 BB, 10 K in 2-1 road loss vs. Padres Friday
• Last home start: Win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 10 K in 11-2 victory vs. Braves May 4

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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 1:57 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Reds +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Dodgers -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +2.5 (-130) | Dodgers -2.5 (+110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Reds at Dodgers picks and predictions

Prediction

Dodgers 6, Reds 3

The Dodgers (-300) will set you back 3 times your potential return, and that’s risky business.

Yes, Los Angeles is a much better team in the standings, and it comes in with 7 consecutive home victories. But the Reds (+240) dominated this series in 2023, winning 2 of 3 in each team’s ballpark, so there is risk involved on both sides.

AVOID.

The DODGERS -2.5 (+110) are a much better play laying the runs instead of playing them straight up.

The Reds +2.5 (-130) have dropped 4 of 6 games on the current road trip. While each of the past 3 losses have been only by a single run, Cincinnati is using an opener, before handing the keys to the bullpen.

The Reds have a 4.25 ERA, which ranks 8th in MLB, or middle of the pack. It has served up 19 HR, though, and the high-octane offense of the Dodgers could take advantage of that.

OVER 7.5 (-105) is a worth a look in this series opener.

The Over has cashed in 6 of the past 9 home games for the Dodgers, while the Over/Under has split in the past 4 outings for the Reds.

With an opener going for Cincinnati, the lean is to the Over, as the Los Angeles offense shoud come alive, especially in the middle innings.

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