MLB Picks: Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Cincinnati Reds (22-26) and Los Angeles Dodgers (27-24) will open up a National League series Monday night at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 7-10 at home with a total of 7 or less

Cincinnati has dropped two games in a row, including a 4-0 shutout loss to the St. Louis Cardinals as +119 home underdogs on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, while going UNDER the betting total for the fourth time in 10 contests. The Reds own the highest fielding percentage and fewest errors in the Majors, with second baseman Brandon Phillips leading the way in committing just a single mistake in 203 chances. The franchise has lost five of its last seven games at this ballpark. Cincinnati is 4-3 as road underdogs of +100 to +125 in 2014.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (4-3, 1.86 ERA) was handed a 9-4 road defeat by the Washington Nationals last time out, as he surrendered eight runs (six earend) and six hits over 5.1 innings of work. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA in four road appearances—issuing nine walks and striking out 30 batters in 29.1 combined frames. Cueto has compiled a 1-1 record and 2.14 ERA in his last three outings versus the Blue Crew.

Los Angeles has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, as it comes off a 6-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday afternoon, while going UNDER the betting total for a third consecutive contest. The Dodgers will likely be led offensively by outfielder Matt Kemp in the series opener, considering he’s 6-for-12 lifetime versus Cueto, while first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is 3-for-8 with a double and a home run versus the righty. Los Angeles is 7-10 at home with a total of 7 or less.

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu (4-2, 3.00 ERA) tallied a 4-3 road victory over the New York Mets last week, as he allowed two runs and nine hits over six frames. The left-hander is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in three home efforts, with opposing hitters batting .406 against him. Ryu yielded a single run and two hits over seven innings in his only matchup against Cincinnati in a 4-1 win on July 27 of last season.