MLB Picks 2012: Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Cincinnati Reds (44-36) and Los Angeles Dodgers (45-37) will continue a National League series on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:10 ET

Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers

Cincinnati Reds SP Mike Leake may benefit from not having to face Matt Kemp on Wednesday night

Cincinnati has alternated wins and losses over its last four contests, falling 3-1 to Los Angeles on Tuesday night. The Reds now find themselves tied atop the NL Central division with the pesky Pittsburgh Pirates. “We’ll go back and start all over again,” stated Reds manager Dusty Baker. The club has split its first six games of its current West Coast road trip, which will finish up against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park this weekend. Cincinnati is 8-4 as a road favorite of -125 to -150, with the “under” going 6-5 in those affairs.

Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake (3-5, 4.12 ERA) earned a 5-1 complete-game victory over the San Francisco Giants on the road last time out, allowing one run and nine hits, while striking out four and walking just a single batter. The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA in seven road outings, serving up just three home runs in 48 combined frames. In three career games (two starts) versus the Dodgers, Leake has tallied an even 1-1 record and 7.04 ERA. He may benefit from not having to face an injured Matt Kemp, who has six hits in 12 career at-bats against him.

Los Angeles will attempt to win consecutive games for the first time since June 9-10, as the club sits a half-game back of the San Francisco Giants in the NL West division. The Dodgers are a banged up ball club that’s looking to hold on before enjoying three off days next week due to the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City. Los Angeles is 6-3 as a home underdog of +100 to +125, with the “under” going 5-4 in that situation.

Dodgers starting pitcher Aaron Harang (5-5, 3.68 ERA) has watched the club drop his last three outings, with the offense scoring just three runs over that span. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 3.08 ERA in six home outings, issuing 19 walks and collecting 29 strikeouts in 38 combined frames. Harang has faced his former team just once over the course of his career, picking up a win in 2002 as a member of the Oakland Athletics.

Bettors will likely back the Dodgers due to their 12-4 record at home versus winning road teams, while the Reds are 2-5 in Leake’s last seven efforts as a road favorite of -110 to -150.