Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Prediction for Tuesday September 8 2026

The Cincinnati Reds travel to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, to face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 PM ET with coverage on MLB.TV. Cincinnati enters at 69-74 overall and 33-36 on the road, while Los Angeles is 86-57 overall and 44-28 at home. The Reds have won four of their last five games, but the Dodgers are also rolling with four consecutive victories. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free MLB picks for more predictions throughout the season.

Starting Pitchers

Cincinnati is scheduled to start Nick Lodolo, who enters at 3-3 with a 5.08 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 85.0 innings. He has allowed 94 hits and 35 walks while striking out 69 and surrendering 16 home runs. Los Angeles counters with Tarik Skubal, who is 8-7 with a 2.86 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 132.1 innings. He has allowed 108 hits and only 22 walks while recording 159 strikeouts and allowing 12 home runs. The Dodgers have a substantial statistical advantage in the starting matchup, particularly in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts and control.

Cincinnati Arrives in Strong Form

Cincinnati enters this matchup having won four of its last five games. The Reds defeated Milwaukee 12-8 and 5-3 in their two most recent contests after losing 10-7 in the previous game. They also recorded 7-3 and 4-3 victories against San Diego during this five-game stretch. Cincinnati is 33-36 away from home and remains below .500 overall at 69-74.

The Reds are batting .231 with 605 runs, 1,098 hits and 192 home runs. Cincinnati has a .310 on-base percentage and .399 slugging percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.68 ERA and 1.43 WHIP while opponents are batting .252.

Power has been one of Cincinnati's more noticeable strengths. The Reds have hit 18 more home runs than Los Angeles despite scoring 100 fewer runs overall. The concern is whether that power can compensate for a significant pitching disadvantage. Cincinnati's 4.68 team ERA and 1.43 WHIP are both considerably worse than the numbers produced by Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Holds Several Statistical Advantages

Los Angeles comes into Tuesday at 86-57 and has been particularly effective at Dodger Stadium, where it owns a 44-28 record. The Dodgers have won four consecutive games, defeating Washington 7-5, 6-5 and 5-3 before a 3-2 victory over St. Louis. Their only defeat over the last five was an 8-6 extra-inning loss.

The Dodgers are batting .257 with 705 runs, 1,237 hits and 174 home runs. They have produced a .336 on-base percentage and .420 slugging percentage. Los Angeles also owns a 3.71 team ERA and 1.17 WHIP while holding opposing hitters to a .221 average.

Los Angeles owns the stronger overall profile on both sides of the ball. The Dodgers have scored 100 more runs than Cincinnati while holding significant advantages in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Their pitching numbers are even more convincing, with nearly a full run separating the two teams in ERA. Add the substantial advantage in Tuesday's scheduled starting matchup, and Los Angeles enters with several paths to controlling this game.

Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Prediction

Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

Los Angeles is the preferred side, and the run line provides the better approach if the price on the moneyline is substantial. The Dodgers have a 17-game advantage in the standings, are 44-28 at home and enter on a four-game winning streak. More importantly, Los Angeles owns a major starting-pitching advantage. The Dodgers' scheduled starter carries a 2.86 ERA and 0.98 WHIP compared with Cincinnati's 5.08 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. Los Angeles also has the better offense by runs scored and the much stronger overall pitching staff. Take the Dodgers -1.5.

Pick: Under 8.5

Despite Cincinnati's recent run production, the Under 8.5 is the preferred total if the market lands at that number or higher. Los Angeles has allowed only 15 runs over its last four games, and the Dodgers enter with a 3.71 team ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Their scheduled starter has been even stronger, carrying a 2.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 159 strikeouts against only 22 walks. Cincinnati could have difficulty producing enough offense to push this game over without considerable help from Los Angeles. Take the Under if the total is set at 8.5 or higher.

Final Picks: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 and Under 8.5

This preview was completed before play on Monday. Starting pitchers, betting lines and other game information are subject to change before the game begins.