Heading into game two of this National League matchup, the Dodgers (58-44, 30-19 home) will send Emmet Sheehan to the mound against the Reds (57-48, 29-22 away) and Luke Weaver. Check out my pick for today’s Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game in Los Angeles.

CINCINNATI REDS VS LOS ANGELES DODGERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Cincinnati Reds +173

This game will be played at Dodger Stadium at 9:10 ET on Saturday, July 29th.

WHY BET THE CINCINNATI REDS:

  • The Dodgers come into this matchup on a two game home losing streak.
  • Los Angeles is on a two game winning streak when the underdog.
  • Opponents are hitting a healthy .327 against Emmet Sheehan in his last four starts.

CINCINNATI REDS TRYING TO CLOSE GAP IN NL CENTRAL

Entering game 106 of their season, the Reds are 0.5 games out in the NL Central and are in 2nd place. So far, their overall series record stands at 16-13-4. Cincinnati’s road winning percent is currently 56.9% (29-22) compared to 51.9% at home (28-26).

Today marks Luke Weaver’s 18th appearance of the season, with a 2-2 record and an ERA of 7.20. His opponents have a .364 OBP against him, and he has struck out 65 batters thus far with a WHIP of 1.68. On the road, Weaver’s ERA is 6.64, while it is 9.35 at home.

Luke Weaver’s most recent outing saw him surrender eight hits in four innings of work, resulting in three earned runs. Although he did not factor into the decision, the Reds were able to take down the Diamondbacks 7-3.

This season, the Reds are 9th in the league at 4.8 runs per game. Over their last ten games, they have a combined batting average of .252 (12th) leading to 5 runs per contest. Overall, they are generating 3.5 walks per game compared to 9 strikeouts. Cincinnati’s on-base percentage of .331 has them 5th in the MLB.

Matt McLain has been a key contributor to Cincinnati’s offense this season, boasting a .305 batting average and slugging .525. In the team’s last ten games, he has been on fire, leading the Reds in hits with a .333 average.

WILL THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AT HOME?

This season, the Dodgers have an overall series record of 20-12-1 and are currently 1st in the NL West. Los Angeles’ overall record is 58-44, which includes their current two game losing streak. On the road, the Dodgers are 28-25 and 30-19 at home.

Emmet Sheehan is 3-1 on the season and will take the mound for the Dodgers. In six appearances, his ERA is 6.75, K/9 is 6.75, FIP 5.19 and OBP .326.

The Los Angeles Angels were defeated 8-4 by the Texas Rangers in Emmet Sheehan’s last outing. The right-hander lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up eight earned runs on eight hits.

Having gone deep 15 times in their last ten games, the Dodgers are 6th in that span. At 5.6 runs per game, Los Angeles is 2nd in the league. This figure has come on a team batting average of .248 while hitting a total of 166 home runs (2nd).

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman leads the team in hits, boasting a .329 batting average. He has been a force at the plate, with a .580 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .411.