Cincinnati Reds vs LA Dodgers Picks, Predictions, Player Props & Closing Odds (Game 2)

By Sascha Paruk in MLB Baseball
Published:

- The LA Dodgers can eliminate the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts for the Dodgers against Zack Littell for the Reds
- See the Dodgers vs Reds picks, predictions, best bets, and closing odds for Game 2
The Los Angeles Dodgers (94-69, 53-29 home) host the Cincinnati Reds (83-80, 38-44 away) in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night (6:08 pm PT/9:08 pm ET). After blasting five home runs in a 10-5 a blowout win yesterday, the Dodgers appear poised to eliminate the Reds in Wednesday’s Game 2.
Cincinnati turns to Zack Littell (10-8, 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) in a must-win game, while Los Angeles starts Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP).
Below, I will set out my favorite Reds vs Dodgers picks, the starting pitcher-vs-batter history, the main player props, and the updated Reds vs Dodgers Game 2 odds.
Jump to: CIN vs LAD Picks || Pitcher-vs-Batter Stats || CIN vs LAD Props || CIN vs LAD Game 2 Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds Picks & Prediction
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a prime position to end this series, and all signs point to them doing just that. The pitching matchup heavily favors the home team. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has already demonstrated his ability to stifle this Reds lineup, holding them to a .172 batting average in previous encounters. Facing a team on the brink of elimination, Yamamoto’s poise and electric stuff should be enough to keep Cincinnati’s offense in check. Conversely, Zack Littell has the unenviable task of navigating a Dodgers lineup that just flexed its muscle with a 10-run, five-homer performance. With no history against them, the element of surprise is his only advantage, but it’s unlikely to be enough against a disciplined and powerful order.
The betting trends provide overwhelming support for the Dodgers. They are 6-1 (.857) against the Reds in their last seven meetings and an astounding 8-1 (.889) in their last nine games following a win. At home, they are 5-1 (.833) as a favorite in their last six contests. These trends highlight a pattern of dominance that is difficult to ignore. Furthermore, the under has been a strong trend in this head-to-head matchup, with the over hitting in just one of the last eight games between these two clubs prior to Game 1. While the Dodgers’ offense exploded last night, Yamamoto’s presence on the mound should bring the run total back to earth. Look for the Dodgers to win decisively while the total stays under.
Starting Pitcher-vs-Batter History: Littell vs Yamamoto
Neither lineup has a ton of history against the opposing starter, but what history does exist strongly favors the Dodgers on both fronts.
Cincinnati Reds Career Statistics vs Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has thoroughly dominated the current Reds roster in their limited meetings. Cincinnati hitters are batting a paltry .175 against him with 15 strikeouts in just 40 at-bats. Elly De La Cruz has shown impressive plate discipline with two walks and a hit. Miguel Andujar and TJ Friedle are both 1-for-3 with a double. The rest of the lineup has struggled to make contact.
No one on the Reds has a home run off Yamamoto.
Los Angeles Dodgers Batters vs Zack Littell
The Dodgers have done a ton of damage against Littell in a limited sample size. They have mashed three home runs (two from Max Mancy) in just 31 at-bats, generating a .258 average and elite .924 OPS. Mookie Betts is the only Dodger with a truly concerning history against Littell, going just 1-for-9 with a single, no walks, and two Ks.
LA Dodgers vs CIN Reds Player Props
MLB player props as of October 1 at MGM.
Yamamoto’s strikeout line of 6.5 is attractive given his history against the Reds, where he’s punched out 15 batters in 40 at-bats (a 37.5% K-rate). The over is juiced at -149 but is still the better option.
On the other side, Littell’s props are an ill portent. His innings outs line is set at a mere 9.5, suggesting he won’t make it through four innings. His earned runs line is 1.5 with heavy juice on the over (-175), reinforcing the expectation that Los Angeles will get to him early.
Best CIN vs LAD Player Prop to Bet in Game 2: Yamamoto Over 6.5 Strikeouts
The best player prop to bet on is Yamamoto to record over 6.5 strikeouts, which is available at -137 at Underdog. This pick is strongly supported by his dominant historical performance against the current Cincinnati roster (nearly a 40% K-rate in 40 at-bats). The Reds’ lineup fanned 12 times yesterday, continuing a season-long trend of striking out a high rate.
Dodgers vs Reds Odds for Game 2
The closing Reds vs Dodgers odds massively favor LAD closing out the series tonight in the minimum two games. LAD, which opened as a -250 favorite, is now -290 or shorter on the moneyline. The Reds’ odds have ballooned to +240 at bet365. The total is a standard 8.0 runs at most sportsbooks but half-a-run lower at Fanatics, which is the line I’m targeting.The runline has seen the Dodgers’ price move from -110 to -130 or shorter.
Odds commentary as of 5:11 pm ET. The lines in the table will update automatically if sportsbooks shift the odds before first pitch.
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Managing Editor
Sascha has been working in the sports-betting industry since 2014, and quickly paired his strong writing skills with a burgeoning knowledge of probability and statistics. He holds an undergraduate degree in linguistics and a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia.