MLB Game Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (92-60) vs. Cincinnati Reds (71-81)

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Cincinnati Reds logo

Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
First pitch: 12:40 p.m. ET
TV: Reds.TV / SportsNet LA (MLB.TV out of market)

The Dodgers, first in the NL West and still chasing the top NL seed while looking to clinch the division (magic number effectively low after San Diego’s recent results), visit the last-place Reds in the series finale of a four-game set. Los Angeles leads the season series 5-1 and this series 2-1 after Cincinnati’s 6-2 win on Wednesday night delayed a potential clinch.

Starting Pitchers

Dodgers: LHP Justin Wrobleski (11-5, 3.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 111 K in 133.1 IP)
The left-hander has mixed results lately (higher ERA in recent appearances after a stronger midseason stretch). He limits walks well (~2.1 BB/9) but has allowed home runs at a noticeable rate. Reds hitters have struggled overall against lefties at times this year.

Reds: RHP Brady Singer (6-14, 5.38 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 125 K in 150.2 IP)
Singer has been hit hard recently, allowing three or more runs in a long streak of starts and posting elevated ERAs (recent outings include high-run games vs. Milwaukee). He allows a high WHIP and has surrendered 30 home runs. Home ERA is better than road, but overall numbers lag.

Wrobleski holds the clear edge on paper; Singer’s high home-run and hit rates make him vulnerable in a hitter-friendly park.

Venue & Weather Forecast

Great American Ball Park is a known hitter-friendly venue, especially for power (particularly left-handed). Current forecast for first pitch and afternoon game window (as of morning updates): Mostly sunny and hot. Highs in the lower-to-mid 90s°F (around 92–94°F), heat index potentially near 100–101°F, light southwest-to-northwest winds ~5 mph. Precipitation chance is low during afternoon hours (single-digit to low teens percent in peak game time); any showers more likely later in the evening. Expect warm, dry conditions that favor offense and fly balls.

Injury Reports

Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani (DH): 15-day IL (biceps)

Blake Snell (SP): Day-to-day (left groin tightness; exited after 1 IP Wednesday)

Andy Pages (CF): 10-day IL (hand)

Dalton Rushing (C): 10-day IL (elbow)

Roki Sasaki (SP): 15-day IL (finger/blister; recent bullpen work)

Edwin Díaz (RP): 15-day IL (neck)

Edgardo Henriquez (RP): 15-day IL (back)

Longer-term 60-day IL: Gavin Stone, Jake Cousins, Eric Lauer, Brusdar Graterol, Will Klein, Ben Casparius, and others.

Freddie Freeman has dealt with knee issues but has been active recently. The Dodgers have used multiple arms and call-ups amid rotation/bullpen strain.

Reds

Spencer Steer: 10-day IL (wrist)

Hunter Greene (SP): 60-day IL (elbow/Tommy John)

Mike Toglia: 60-day IL (shoulder)

Blake Dunn: 60-day IL (elbow)
Additional depth pieces (e.g., prior mentions of other absences) leave the lineup thinner, though Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and others remain central.

Key Player Matchups & Notes

Elly De La Cruz (Reds SS) has been on a tear: strong recent stretch (reported ~15-for-38 with multiple doubles/homers and RBIs over a recent 10-game window) and has punished Dodgers pitching this season (multiple homers vs. LAD). He is a primary threat against Wrobleski.

Sal Stewart (Reds) leads or ranks high in extra-base hits/home runs for Cincinnati and provides middle-of-order power.

Dodgers lineup (typical core when healthy/available): Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, Will Smith, Tommy Edman, Max Muncy (platoon considerations), Kyle Tucker, and others. Without Ohtani and Pages, the attack is less explosive but still deep. Hernández and Freeman have produced recently.

Left-handed Wrobleski vs. Reds righty-heavy contact/power bats favors some Dodgers platoon edges; Singer vs. Dodgers lefties (Betts, Freeman, etc.) is a key dynamic. Great American’s dimensions amplify any contact that gets elevated.

Recent Team Forms

Dodgers: 7-3 in last 10 (strong pitching overall in the stretch, though offense has been streaky at ~.229 average in some reports). They took the first two of this series (4-1, 4-0) before the Wednesday setback. Road record 45-32.

Reds: 3-7 in last 10 (.233 BA, poor team ERA near 7.70 in that window, outscored significantly). They snapped a skid with Wednesday’s win behind De La Cruz and timely hitting but remain far out of contention (5th in NL Central). Home record 37-40.

Series History

Season series: Dodgers lead 5-1 (swept a three-game set in Los Angeles earlier in September; took the first two here). This is game 4 of the current series (LAD 2-1). Historically recent meetings heavily favor Los Angeles.

Betting Trends

Dodgers have been strong favorites in this series and cover frequently when favored. Unders have hit in some recent meetings; Great American and Singer’s home-run issues push totals higher. Reds are 35-19 when hitting 2+ homers; Dodgers excel when collecting 8+ hits.

GAME ODDS

Los Angeles Dodgers      – 157

Cincinnati Reds                 10

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, September 16, 2026

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