Reds vs Dodgers MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
A few weeks ago the Dodgers had the best record in baseball and everything was looking great. Now, the Dodgers are in a tailspin and looking like a team destined to head back to the .500 mark.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers MLB Betting Preview
Starting Pitchers: Cincinnati (Leake) vs. Los Angeles (Harang)
Date/Time: July 4, 9:10 p.m. EST
MLB Gambling Odds from TopBet
Moneyline: Cincinnati (-127) Los Angeles (+117)
Runline: Reds -1.5 (+125) vs. Dodgers +1.5 (-145)
Total: 7
The Reds have a narrow lead at the top of the NL Central, but they have struggled on the West Coast in recent years.
Cincinnati was thrilled to get Joey Votto back in the lineup last night. Votto has been struggling with a knee injury, but he was back in the three hole last night. Votto has been the majors best hitter so far this year. He has a .350 average, and he leads the league in doubles and OPS.
Votto will be joined by Jay Bruce and Aroldis Chapman on the NL All-Star team. Bruce leads the team in RBI’s with 54. Chapman is one of the most intimidating pitchers in baseball, and he makes the Reds bullpen extremely scary. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Cincinnati has been successful largely because of their pitching staff this year. The Reds have a great team ERA of 3.46.
Aaron Harang will pitch against his old team in this one. Harang was the Ace of the Reds staff for a couple years. Harang has a 5-5 record with a 3.68 ERA so far this season. Pitching hasn’t been the reason the Dodgers have fallen apart of late.
The Dodgers offense that held up so well through the first few months of the season has been dreadful of late. Los Angeles has been shut out in 5 of their last 8 games. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are both out of the lineup, and many of the youngsters that were contributing earlier in the season are in a major slump right now.
The team has to find a way to start putting some more runs on the board.
The Reds offense isn’t terrific, but they have at least three hitters better than anyone the Dodgers have in their lineup right now. Leake has pitched better of late, and Harang has been inconsistent.
MLB Free Pick: Dodgers ML
