The Los Angeles Dodgers (90-59) and Cincinnati Reds (70-79) meet Monday to commence a 4-game series. First pitch from Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let's analyze MLB odds around the Dodgers vs. Reds odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Dodgers lead 3-0
The Dodgers and Reds met for the first time in a 3-game series early last week. Los Angeles won all 3 games, dominating the Reds a combined 23-6. It will undoubtedly be a heavy underdog despite being on the road.
Los Angeles lost to the Miami Marlins 6-4 Sunday, dropping the final 2 of that 3-game series. It closed as a -137 moneyline favorite with the Over (8.5) cashing. The Dodgers are still 8-2 over their
last 10 outings and sit clear atop the NL West.
The Reds have fallen off a cliff, going 1-5 across their last 6 outings. They are coming off a 4-3 road win over the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, closing as a +168 moneyline underdog with the under (8) hitting. Cincinnati is 11 games behind the San Diego Padres for the final NL Wild Card spot with only 13 games to play.
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Dodgers at Reds projected starters
LHP Tarik Skubal vs. LHP Nick Lodolo
Skubal (9-7, 2.84 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 in 139 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K in a 3-2 home win vs. Reds Tuesday
- Career vs. Reds: 2-0, 1.88 ERA (14 1/3 IP, 3 ER), 0.63 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 in 2 starts
- 2026 road splits: 4-4, 2.09 ERA (60 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 0.86 WHIP, 5 HR, 6 BB, 68 K in 10 starts
Lodolo (3-4, 5.12 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 1.53 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 89 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K in a 3-2 loss at Dodgers Tuesday
- Career vs. Dodgers: 0-2, 5.52 ERA (14 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.43 WHIP, 14.1 K/9 in 3 starts
- 2026 home splits: 2-2, 4.50 ERA (52 IP, 26 ER), 1.42 WHIP, 7 HR, 21 BB, 40 K in 10 starts
Dodgers at Reds odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 8:34 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Dodgers -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Reds +185 (bet $100 to win $185)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers -1.5 (-140) | Reds +1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Dodgers at Reds picks and predictions
Prediction
Dodgers 4, Reds 3
Moneyline
PASS.
Avoid this play. The Dodgers (-225) should win with Skubal getting the start, but they are too expensive to consider.
Run line/Against the spread
BET REDS +1.5 (+115).
The Dodgers have had 4 of their last 10 games close with a 1-run spread, so they haven't been dominating opponents despite consistently winning. Los Angeles has scored 4 runs or fewer in back-to-back games and in 3 of its last 5. On the road, it could struggle against Lodolo, as it did last Tuesday.
The Reds will return home, and they've actually competed at Great American Ball Park. They are 4-2 in their last 6 outings, going 2-1 against the Brewers and San Diego Padres, 2 playoff teams, in their last 2 series. Cincinnati is 27-24 ATS as a home underdog.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8 (-120).
The Reds have gone Under in Lodolo's last 2 starts and have allowed 3 runs in each of those outings. They have scored 3 runs or fewer in 4 of their previous 6 games as well.
The Dodgers have an ace on the mound, so scoring should be difficult for Cincinnati. Los Angeles has gone 2-5 O/U in its last 7 away outings and is 0-4 O/U in Skubal's last 4 starts.
Best prop bet
BET TARIK SKUBAL UNDER 7.5 STRIKEOUTS (-110).
Skubal is a star, and there's no doubt about that. Seven is his sweet spot, though, and he's gone Under this total in 7 of his last 8 starts. Expect him to get close to it but go Under in this one.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds odds, picks and predictions
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