Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds prediction, pick for MLB on Wednesday 9/09/26

I have considerably more faith in Cincinnati’s bats than its chances of ending this Dodgers winning streak. Los Angeles has won six straight, but the Reds have scored 72 runs and hit 25 home runs in 12 games since 8/26. Wednesday’s forecast approaches 100 degrees at Dodger Stadium. I’m taking over 8.5, with Rhett Lowder likely to have a difficult time keeping his share of the scoring down. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds.

Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.

Dodgers vs. Reds prediction, preview

Lowder needed 104 pitches to finish four innings against Milwaukee on 9/4, allowing six runs and four walks in that abbreviated time. The Dodgers have walked in 12.5% of their PAs since 8/26, so they’re an undesirable opponent for someone already laboring through counts. Lowder’s sinker has generated zero whiffs on 25 swings across his last two starts. He’ll have to locate it better tonight, because pitching in the zone against this lineup is a recipe for disaster.

Teoscar Hernández is having the stretch of his life right now; he’s hit safely in nine straight games and is 20-for-47 since 8/26, slugging at a clip of .660. Mookie Betts has played a good second fiddle; he’s found his groove and is seeing it well, good for a .982 OPS with six strikeouts and nine walks during that stretch. Seven of Max Muncy’s last 10 batted balls left the bat at 95 mph or harder. Lowder has allowed lefties a .468 SLG and 12 home runs. Picture I’m painting: there are a multitude places here for a long inning to develop.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto makes betting on an over at less-than-even money feel financially ruinous. He’s got a 2.67 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across his last four starts, with 34 strikeouts. Which is to say: Cincinnati’s 25.4% season strikeout rate suits him nicely. Even so, Elly De La Cruz just took Tarik Skubal 444 feet for his fourth home run in four games. His last 10 batted balls average 102.3 mph. I’d expect Yamamoto to win plenty of confrontations, but let’s allow Elly & co. the possibility of spoiling an otherwise excellent inning. The young Cincy bats are fun.

Reds vs. Dodgers pick, best bet

Dave Roberts expects Shohei Ohtani back after resting his sore knee and biceps, although his .077 average over his last seven games counsels against assuming full strength. Will Smith supplied his first home run since May on Tuesday. More immediately useful for this total is Cincinnati’s relief record: a 5.48 ERA, 24 walks, and seven home runs allowed in 46 innings since 8/27. An early Lowder exit would leave a substantial portion of the game with that group.

The Dodgers have been winning without consistently hitting, carrying a .229 average and .355 SLG since 8/26. Their walks, Lowder’s control, and the heat offer a plausible way to turn that around tonight. Cincinnati’s recent power gives the over another contributor even against Yamamoto, whose last start included four earned runs. I’ll take over 8.5 at -110 and look for Los Angeles to do most of the work in a 6-4 win.

Best bet: Over 8.5 runs (-110)

Projected score: Dodgers 6, Reds 4

Best bet: Dodgers vs. Reds o8.5 total runs (-105)

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