The MLB season continues later today when the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in the first of a three-game series.
The Dodgers have had an excellent season so far and come into this game with a record of 61-45, while the Reds are in great form and come into this with a record of 56-50 for the season.
We’ll take a look at the match-up and provide you with our best free MLB betting picks as we try to earn you some extra cash while you take in all the action on the field.
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The Dodgers had a near perfect start to their 2025 season as they won nine of their opening ten games of the season, including their season-openers against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo. They then lost three in a row to the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals, before racking up another seven wins from their next ten to cement their position as pre-season favorites.
They entered May with a 21-10 record after a five-game winning run, and that continued with two more wins over the Atlanta Braves. But a poor run of form came next as they lost nine of their next 15 games, including a four-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks which saw their credentials questioned.
June started poorly as they lost seven of their first 12 games of the month. But they bounced back with some great form, winning five in a row, including three straight over the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers then lost two of their next three before going on another excellent winning run, winning nine of their last ten as they moved into July. But once again their run was was halted in aggressive fashion, losing seven in a row with just 17 runs scored in those games.
Los Angeles were able to win two in a row before the All-Star Game break, but lost four of their next five following their return to action. They come into this game on the back of two consecutive defeats to the Boston Red Sox, hoping to get back to winning ways.
The Reds had a poor start to their season as they went 3-7 in their opening ten games, before going on a fine winning run which saw them win six of their next seven. Their streaky form continued as they lost five of their next seven games, before going on a fine five game winning run, ending the month with a 16-15 record.
May was a poor start once again as they lost nine of their first 13 of the month, with defeats against the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox. But the team got back into good form with five consecutive wins, claiming victory over the Cleveland Guardians, White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. They then went 4-6 in their next ten.
June was a much better month for Cincinnati despite opening up with three defeats from their first four games in the month. Three straight wins over the Arizona Diamondbacks and consecutive wins over the Guardians gave them momentum, while they also won seven of their next 12 after that.
This month has once again been very streaky, with the team losing five of seven to open July before winning four of five before the All-Star game break. Since the break they have won six of nine though, including the last four in a row against the Nationals and the Tampa Bay Rays, to come into this series in excellent form.
Check out our review for BetUS sports betting here.
Despite their differing form coming into this game, it’s not a surprise that the Dodgers are the favorites to claim victory.
Starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues to be a force on the mound for LA, having allowed just one run or less in four of his last five starts. The Japanese star is currently running a 2.55 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with over 10 strikeouts per 9 innings.
But the batting is where this game will be won, and it’s no surprise that the Dodgers have the advantage with the talent in their roster. Shohei Ohtani is flying this season with 38 home runs scored, alongside a .275 avg and 71 RBI.
He’s joined by the in-form Will Smith, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez, who have more than enough firepower to give any team problems.
Ohtani is LA’s best batter this season, and when you compare his numbers to Cincinnati’s top dog Elly De La Cruz (18 home runs, .282 avg and 67 RBI), it shows the difference in levels.
There is great value in taking the Dodgers to claim victory at -160 on the road, but there is arguably even better value to get them on the spread at -1.5 with odds of -108.
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About the Author
Daniel is a football writer who has a great thirst for the Premier League and other major European leagues. A lover of the beautiful game and a firm believer that the eye test is better than statistics. Also an avid MMA fan.
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