- Get MLB expert picks and analysis for Reds vs. Dodgers.
- The Dodgers are -210 favorites in Game 1.
- Los Angeles is -275 to win the series.
In a playoff series nobody saw coming, the Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Cincinnati Reds at 9:08 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium on ESPN.
The last time the Reds made the playoffs following a full season was 2013. They earned a postseason berth over the New York Mets, spoiling a matchup between the two teams with the highest payrolls in the sport. Cincinnati’s payroll ranks 22nd.
The Reds are fighting an uphill battle against the defending champions. The Dodgers are -275 favorites to win the series.
Here’s a look at the latest MLB odds and my Reds vs. Dodgers prediction ahead of Game 1:
Reds vs. Dodgers Odds for Game 1
- Reds moneyline: +170
- Dodgers moneyline: -210
- Total: 7
Reds vs. Dodgers Prediction for Game 1
My favorite Reds vs. Dodgers prediction involves taking Los Angeles to win Game 1 and the series in BetMGM’s MLB betting futures market.
This market is referred to as a game/series double, and it may be a more effective approach to this round. Since MLB changed its wild-card format three years ago, there have been 12 best-of-three series. The team that has won Game 1 has won the series all 12 times.
Not only that, but there have only been two Game 3s over that span. Winning the opener is such a massive advantage in a short series, which is why the -135 price tag in this market is a better way to back the Dodgers than their -250 series price.
The Dodgers have an abundance of starting pitchers to choose from this week. Blake Snell will likely get the nod in Game 1, but there are several starters capable of moving to the bullpen to help mitigate the Dodgers’ most significant weakness in a short series.
Snell is 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 11 starts this year, striking out 72 batters across 61 1/3 innings. He’s only allowed one run over his previous three starts, giving him plenty of momentum entering the postseason.
The Reds are the second-worst lineup among all playoff teams this year, ranking 24th in the majors with a wRC+ of 92. That mark drops to 79 (26th in MLB) against left-handed pitchers.
I expect Los Angeles to start with a win on Tuesday, and then need just one more victory to advance to the NLDS.
Prediction: Dodgers win Game 1 & series (-135)
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