LA Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases after hitting a homer in the first inning of the NL Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

The Cincinnati Reds and LA Dodgers meet for Game 2 of their best-of-3 NL Wild Card Series Wednesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Dodgers lead the series 1-0. First pitch is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Reds vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Regular-season series: Dodgers won 5-1

The Dodgers came out swinging in Game 1 of their series against the Reds, cruising to a 10-5 win Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Power was the theme, as the Dodgers launched 5 home runs. DH Shohei Ohtani led the way with 2 blasts, driving in 3 runs. RF Teoscar Hernández matched him with 2 long balls of his own, driving in 4 runs. 2B Tommy Edman added a solo shot to cap the offensive outburst.

Reds SP Hunter Greene (3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 HR) couldn’t keep the Dodgers in check, and the Reds’ offense didn’t provide enough support. Cincinnati batters struck out 12 times, struggling to generate consistent pressure. 1B Spencer Steer managed a 2-for-4 night with an RBI, while SS Elly De La Cruz plated 2 runs. Still, the bats fell quiet overall, leaving the Reds in a tough spot to force Game 3.

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Reds at Dodgers projected starters

RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Littell (10-8, 3.81 ERA) made 32 regular-season starts. He posted a 1.10 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 through 186 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 3-1 victory at Milwaukee Brewers Friday
  • Last 5 regular-season starts: 1-0, 4.91 ERA (25 2/3 IP, 14 ER), 0.97 WHIP, 7.1 K/9
  • 2025 road stats: 7-4, 3.92 ERA (108 IP, 47 ER), 1.12 WHIP, 20 HR, 5.6 K/9 in 18 starts
  • Career vs. Dodgers: 1-1, 3.86 ERA (14 IP, 6 ER), 1.14 WHIP, 9 H, 2 HR, 7 BB, 15 K in 14 relief appearances

Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 ERA) made 30 regular-season starts. He posted a 0.99 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 through 173 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 8-0 victory at Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday
  • Last 4 regular-season starts: 1-0, 0.67 ERA (27 IP, 2 ER), 0.67 WHIP, 11.3 K/9
  • 2025 home stats: 3-4, 3.04 ERA (68 IP, 23 ER), 1.15 WHIP, 7 HR, 11.0 K/9 in 12 starts
  • Last start vs. Reds: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K in 9-7 road victory July 28
  • Career vs. Reds: 1-1, 3.75 ERA (12 IP, 5 ER), 1.17 WHIP, 0 HR, 12.8 K/9 in 2 starts

Reds at Dodgers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:28 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Reds +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Dodgers -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (+100) | Dodgers -1.5 (-120)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Reds at Dodgers picks and predictions

Prediction

Dodgers 5, Reds 2

Moneyline

PASS.

I like the Dodgers (-250) to close out this series on Wednesday, but I'll take the better odds on the run line.

Run line/Against the spread

BET DODGERS -1.5 (-120).

The Dodgers look like the clear play in Game 2, and I’m jumping on them to close this series out. The Reds deserve credit—winning 8 of their last 11 games to sneak into the postseason is impressive—but running into LA right now is brutal. The Dodgers punched them in the mouth in Game 1 and have now beaten Cincinnati in 6 of 7 meetings this season, outscoring them 40-20.

Now the Reds get Yamamoto, who was nearly untouchable in September, putting up a 0.67 ERA across 4 starts. He already silenced Cincinnati earlier this year, tossing 7 innings of 1-run ball while striking out 9. Combine that with the Dodgers’ dominance at Chavez Ravine—52-29 at home this year, fueled by a league-best 142 home runs in their ballpark—and the odds are stacked.

With their ace on the mound, the bats firing, and momentum on their side, LA should put this series away on Wednesday night.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 8 (-110).

With Yamamoto on the hill, I’m leaning Under on Wednesday night. The Under has hit in each of his last 4 outings, and the trends back it up. These teams have gone 6-2-1 to the Under in their last 9 meetings, while the Reds themselves are 5-2-2 to the Under over their last 9. The matchup, trends, and pitching edge all point in the same direction: Under.

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Cincinnati Reds at LA Dodgers odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Drew Phelps, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect