The Cincinnati Reds (29-33) host the Los Angeles Dodgers (35-27) at Great American Ball Park on Thursday with the home team looking to sweep the three-game series.
The Reds lead the series 2-0 after winning 8-6 on Wednesday. Reliever Alexis Diaz threw one scoreless inning to get the win. Elly De La Cruz went 2 for 4 with a home run and a triple in the win.
He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Will Smith was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double for the Dodgers. He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Miguel Vargas added a home run and a double. He had two RBIs.
ON THE MOUND
Clayton Kershaw (7-4, 3.25 ERA) is in line for the start for Los Angeles. The lefty is tied for the NL lead in wins. Kershaw allowed two runs over seven innings in his last start, an 8-4 home win over the Yankees on Friday. He earned the win, scattering four hits while striking out nine and walking one.
Kershaw is making his first appearance against the Reds this season. Kershaw made one start against the Reds in 2022, a 10-5 road victory on June 23. He surrendered one run on seven hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking one.
For Cincinnati, RHP Graham Ashcraft (3-4, 6.64 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Dodgers. In his last start on Saturday, Ashcraft took the loss at home against the Brewers. He threw four innings and gave up 10 runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking four in the 10-8 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 5.6. Against righties like Ashcraft this season, the Dodgers have a .781 OPS, third highest in the league.
J.D. Martinez is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.028 OPS in 134 at-bats. Cincinnati is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.7 for the season. The Reds have a .770 OPS against Southpaws in 2023. With a 1.159 OPS over 44 at-bats, Nick Senzel has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is on a three-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 15-17 in 2023. The Dodgers have scored 5.5 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.9 runs. Cincinnati has won three in a row at home.
The Reds are 17-17 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.5. In the last 10 games between the teams at Great American Ball Park, Los Angeles is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.2-4.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers are second in the NL West, two games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Reds are third in the NL Central, five games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Dodgers -2.5 (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
