The Cincinnati Reds open a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight, and mounting injuries for the world champs are evening out what looks like a mismatch on paper.
L.A. had three scratches from the lineup over the weekend, and had to call up the struggling Emmet Sheehan to make a spot start today.
My Reds vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks have Cincinnati scoring a road upset with Reds All-Star ace Chase Burns on the bump on Monday, Sept. 7.
Who will win Reds vs Dodgers today: Reds moneyline (39%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
On paper, it makes sense to favor the Los Angeles Dodgers. They’re 17 games better and have won four straight.
However, Shohei Ohtani has missed four straight games with knee, biceps, and neck injuries. He should return today, but Ohtani was just seven for his last 51 (.137) with one homer in the last 13 games.
The Dodgers also lost catcher Dalton Rushing, placed back on the IL Sunday, and Max Muncy was a late scratch Saturday before returning Sunday.
The Cincinnati Reds, meanwhile, have won three straight series and start ace Chase Burns (15-3, 2.79 ERA).
I’d take them down to 43%.
COVERS INTEL: Burns’ slider has his breaking stuff in the 99th percentile in MLB. Opponents are hitting .162 against it. Every major contributor in L.A.’s lineup has above a 25% whiff rate against the slider.
Reds vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (51%)
The Reds announced that they will be limiting Burns’ innings for the rest of the season, so expect the Cincinnati bullpen (25th by xERA) to step in earlier than usual.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, didn’t name their starter until Monday morning, when they called up Emmet Sheehan (4-8, 5.29 ERA). He was demoted earlier this year after the team lost five of his starts in a row.
The Reds have scored 31 runs in the last four games, and that was against first-place Milwaukee and over-.500 San Diego. They’ve also allowed 24 over that span. They’ve gone Over seven times in the last 10 and scored seven or more in six of them.
Reds vs Dodgers home run prediction: Mookie Betts (14%)
Mookie Betts has five hits in the last 13 at bats and went deep on Sunday. He’s also L.A.’s second-best hitter against the slider.
His .273 average and .444 slugging against breaking pitches this season are better than his performance against fastballs (.246/.442) and offspeed (.200/.291).
He has a double and two hits in three career plate appearances against Burns.
- ML/RL bets: 32-39, -2.94 units
- Over/Under bets: 43-23, +7.80 units
Reds vs Dodgers weather
Rain earlier in the day will be gone by game time, and it should be partly cloudy in the low 80s, possibly dropping into the 70s by last pitch.
Reds vs Dodgers odds
- Moneyline: Reds 39% | Dodgers 61%
- Run line: Reds +1.5 | Dodgers -1.5
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Reds vs Dodgers trend
The Over is 6-1 in Cincinnati’s last seven road games against teams with a winning record. Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Reds vs Dodgers and game info
| Location | Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 |
| First pitch | 9:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | Reds.TV, SNLA |
| Reds starting pitcher | Chase Burns (15-3, 2.79 ERA) |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Emmet Sheehan (4-8, 5.29 ERA) |
Reds vs Dodgers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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