Free MLB Picks Today: Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Dodgers 6/6/23

The Los Angeles Dodgers (35-25) take one of the most productive offenses in MLB on the road to face the Cincinnati Reds (27-33) at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday to open a three-game series.

The Dodgers are playing their first of six games on the road after closing out a six-game homestand (3-3). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Yankees, dropping the finale 4-1 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

J.D. Martinez was 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The Reds are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Brewers in their last series, taking the finale 2-0 on Monday at Great American Ball Park.

Tyler Stephenson went 1 for 3 with a solo home run. Stuart Fairchild added a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.

In 2022, the Dodgers won all seven games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent three-game series at Great American Ball Park in June.

ON THE MOUND

Tony Gonsolin (3-1, 1.77 ERA) is set to take the mound for Los Angeles. The righty allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 9-3 road win over the Nationals on May 30. He got the win, scattering three hits while striking out two and walking two.

Over two starts against the Reds in 2022, Gonsolin was 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA over nine innings. He had six strikeouts and four walks. For Cincinnati, right-hander Luke Weaver (1-2, 5.36 ERA) will take the mound.

Weaver made one appearance against the Dodgers in 2022, throwing one innings for the Royals in an 8-3 home defeat on August 12. He struck out one and walked two.

In his last start on Wednesday, Weaver took a no-decision on the road against the Red Sox. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out five, in the 5-4 win.

AT THE PLATE

The Los Angeles offense is averaging 5.5 runs per game for the season, third-best in the league, with a slash line of .242/.330/.459. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.960). The first baseman is slashing .331/.402/.558 with 10 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 49 runs over 60 games.

Against righties like Weaver this season, the Dodgers have a .787 OPS, third highest in MLB. Martinez is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a 1.016 OPS in 131 at-bats. Cincinnati is slashing .252/.330/.389 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game. Spencer Steer leads the team with a .853 OPS.

The third baseman has eight home runs, 30 RBIs, and 31 runs scored with a slash line of .288/.360/.493. Cincinnati is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.201/.284/.354).

The Reds have a .701 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .887 OPS over 120 at-bats, TJ Friedl has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Los Angeles is 15-15 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 5.8 runs. Cincinnati has gone 15-17 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 games at Great American Ball Park between the teams, Los Angeles is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 6.2-2.8.