Reds vs. Dodgers Prediction: Game 2 NL Wild Card Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers can advance to the NLDS with a win over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card series at 9:08 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium on ESPN.

Los Angeles cruised to a 10-5 win in Tuesday’s Game 1. Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández each homered twice. Blake Snell pitched seven innings of two-run ball with nine strikeouts.

The Dodgers are -275 favorites to finish the job on Wednesday. Los Angeles will start Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 ERA), while Cincinnati is sending out Zack Littell (10-8, 382 ERA).

Here’s a look at the latest MLB odds and my Reds vs. Dodgers prediction ahead of Game 2:

Reds vs. Dodgers Odds for Game 2

• Reds moneyline: +225
• Dodgers moneyline: -275
• Total: 8

Reds vs. Dodgers Prediction for Game 2

My favorite Reds vs. Dodgers prediction for Game 2 is backing Los Angeles to win by multiple runs, taking the -1.5 run line on Wednesday.

I’m already sitting on a -135 ticket for the Dodgers to win Game 1 and the series, so it’s tempting to sit this one out.

However, I expect Los Angeles to win by a comfortable margin, earning a meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS in a matchup between the two World Series odds favorites.

The Reds scored five runs in Game 1, but all five came against the Dodgers’ bullpen. While Los Angeles’ relievers have proven untrustworthy, Cincinnati’s offense has struggled even more.

The Reds ranked 24th in the majors in wRC+ (92), which was better than just one playoff team. They finished 19th in batting average (.245) and 21st in slugging percentage (.391).

I checked the Reds’ team total as a way to fade them in Game 2, but the under on 3.5 costs as much as -175. I’d rather take the -130 value on Los Angeles to win by multiple runs, banking on its elite offense (second in wRC+) to come through.

This one could be decided quickly on Wednesday.

Prediction: Dodgers -1.5 (-130)