The Cincinnati Reds head out on the road for a seven-game swing as they visit Dodger Stadium in a three-game set vs the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cincinnati had its four-game winning streak snapped yesterday, while Los Angeles picked up its first win in its last seven on Sunday. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) and Luis Castillo (CIN) toe the rubber with the Dodgers Sportsbook as a -160 favorite, the Reds coming back at +140 and the total Sportsbook at 7.5 runs.
Standout Stats
- Los Angeles has been ice-cold since its five-game winning streak in early April as it promptly went on a six-game slide right after and is 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS in its last seven games. Meanwhile, Cincinnati had an eight-game losing slide to start this month but pulled it together recently to win four in a row before losing yesterday. It is 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in its last five.
- The Reds’ pitching has been terrific to begin the season and that has led to the UNDER being a profitable play for them thus far, going UNDER in 10 of their first 14 games. Meanwhile, the offense has really been chugging for the Dodgers and they have gone OVER in 11 of their first 17 contests.
- Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the first time in the 2019 campaign. It’s tough to really gauge how long the lefty will be on the mound in this game as he dealt with shoulder inflammation during spring training, but he did toss six innings in his last rehab start. The last time he made an appearance vs the Reds, he threw a complete-game shutout while allowing just two hits in 2016.
- Countering for the Reds is Luis Castillo, who has gotten off to a fantastic start to the year. The 26-year-old is 1-1 with a 0.92 ERA and has surrendered just two runs in 19.2 innings, allowing only five hits while striking out 25 batters. The Dodgers have only had a combined 36 at-bats vs the Dominican Republic native and have hit .194 in those appearances. Castillo was 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in his two outings vs LA last season.
- A true battle between a good offensive team and a solid pitching squad in this game. The Reds rank 23rd in runs scored this year, while the Dodgers have scored the second-most runs. Meanwhile, Cincinnati has the sixth-best team ERA and Los Angeles ranks 19th.
My Best Bet for Cincinnati vs Los Angeles
Cincinnati +1.5
I don’t know how well or how long Kershaw will pitch tonight and that makes me a little nervous as the Dodgers bullpen has a 5.14 ERA, ranking 22nd. Meanwhile, Castillo has been brilliant to begin the year and was successful vs Los Angeles last season. I don’t think the Dodgers can win in a tight game so I’ll be on the Reds.
