The Cincinnati Reds travel to Dodger Stadium to wrap up their three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, with first pitch set for 8:40 p.m. ET. The Dodgers hold a 4-1 lead in the season series.
Series context and standings
The Reds have dropped the first two games of the set and are 1-5 over their last six, sitting 3½ games back of the New York Mets for the NL’s final wild-card berth. They were blanked 7-0 in Monday’s opener and then fell 6-3 on Tuesday. On the other side, the Dodgers enjoy a one-game edge atop the NL West over the San Diego Padres, riding a three-game win streak and an 8-4 mark in their last 12 overall.
Key pitchers and matchup
Projected starters for the finale are left-hander Nick Lodolo for the Reds and right-hander Shohei Ohtani for the Dodgers. Lodolo, making his 24th start of the year, has logged a strong season line at 8-6 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He’s coming off the injured list due to a blister on the index finger, and in his most recent outing, he worked 1 2/3 innings in a 3-2 win at Chicago on August 4. In 2025 road work, Lodolo owns a 5-4 mark and a 2.18 ERA over 12 starts. His history against the Dodgers includes a July 29 start in which he allowed 2 earned runs over 5 1/3 innings.
Ohtani, making his 11th start, owns a 0-1 record with a 4.61 ERA this season. He’s posted a 1.28 WHIP with 1.6 walks per nine and 11.5 strikeouts per nine across 27 1/3 innings. His last outing wasn’t sharp, as he took the loss after 4 innings, yielding 5 earned runs at Colorado on August 20. Ohtani has pitched at least four innings in each of his three August starts. In the all-time matchup, Ohtani has faced the Reds sparingly, with a recent limited sample of 4 1/3 innings allowing 2 earned runs.
Recent form and context
The Dodgers have won three straight and are 8-4 in their last 12, keeping their division lead intact. The Reds, meanwhile, have not been swept this season and will look to avoid a three-game defeat in the set in Los Angeles.
Odds and betting notes (BetMGM)
– Moneyline: Reds +170 / Dodgers -210
– Run line: Reds +1.5 (-120) / Dodgers -1.5 (+100)
– Over/Under: 8.5 (Over -105 / Under -115)
Analysis and predictions
Lodolo’s season has been solid, and his recent track record suggests he can keep the Reds in this game. Ohtani has shown signs of improvement in some recent starts, but his results have been inconsistent, and the Dodgers have not been immune to giving up runs in these losses. The Reds have shown resilience this season and haven’t been swept often, which adds intrigue to the matchup given Lodolo’s upside.
A likely scenario is a tight, low-to-mid scoring game with a chance for a Reds upset on the road. The Reds are tempting on the moneyline as a plus-money play, especially given Lodolo’s ability to limit damage against a Dodgers lineup that can stall at times. A secondary angle could be under 8.5 runs, given recent patterns in Reds’ wins when they’ve snapped losing streaks and the way Ohtani’s starts have trended.
Pro picks
– Betting play: Reds to win the game at +170 offers upside given Lodolo’s form and the odds against a Dodgers squad that hasn’t been flawless in Ohtani’s recent outings.
– Alternative play: Under 8.5 runs, based on pitcher’s performance and how the Reds have tended to play in tight games when breaking losing streaks.
Additional context and value
– Lodolo’s return from the blister should provide a stabilizing presence for Cincinnati, and his ability to work deep into games can limit Dodgers rallies.
– The Dodgers will aim to maintain momentum at home, but Ohtani’s recent stretch has given opponents a chance to sulk off with a win if they can string together hits off him.
– Road teams have fared reasonably well in this series, and the Reds have historically shown the ability to bounce back and avoid being swept.
Summary
Wednesday’s game in Los Angeles features a strong pitching matchup and a Reds squad eager to halt their slide against a Dodgers club fighting to hold the top spot in the division. Lodolo’s return and the plus-money on Cincinnati create a compelling, hopeful angle for Reds backers, while the under could be a prudent secondary option given recent scoring patterns. If Cincinnati can get to Ohtani early or play small-ball offense against him, they have a real chance to snap their skid in this pivotal matchup.