3-Game MLB SWEEPER PASS
(MLB) LA Dodgers vs. Cincinnati,
Money Line: -167.00 LA Dodgers (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Cincinnati Reds return to Great American Ball Park after stumbling through an 0-6 road trip but will only stay at home for the weekend, as it's back on the road Monday for seven in a row away from home. The Reds opened their 0-6 road trip by losing three games at Dodger Stadium and maybe it's fitting that they get another shot against the Dodgers here at home this weekend. Los Angeles scored 21 runs in sweeping three from Cincinnati last weekend and had ripped off six consecutive victories before a 12-5 loss yesterday afternoon at Cleveland. Rookie Cody Bellinger homered for the fifth time in six games to give him 18 in 47 contests and only Gary Sanchez (19) of the New York Yankees has hit more in his first 47 career games. The 41-26 Dodgers are tied with the D'backs in the NL West, as both teams trail the Rockies by one game for the division lead. In contrast, the 29-36 Reds reside in last place in the NL Central, although they are only 5 1/2 games out of first.

The pitching matchup: Alex Wood (6-0 & 2.01 ERA) gets the nod for LA and Tim Adleman (4-2 & 4.34 ERA) for Cincy. Wood came off the 10-day disabled list to face the Reds last Saturday and did not factor in the decision, allowing three runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He was riding a streak of 25 1/3 scoreless innings spanning four starts and had won his last five outings before he went on the DL. Wood owns a career record of 2-0 in four appearances (three starts / teams are 3-0) against the Reds. Adleman faced the Dodgers last Sunday but also did not factor in the decision, permitting three runs (two earned) on five hits (including two HRs) over five innings. He had posted quality starts in each of his previous three outing, allowing just four runs on 10 hits in 21 innings (1.74 ERA). Adleman beat the Dodgers in his only other start against them with five scoreless innings in August of 2016 (he's 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA (team is 1-1).

The pick: the Dodgers are 25-10 at home but a much more modest 16-16 on the road in 2017. However, they've won each of the last six times that Wood has started and the Reds limp in on a six-game slide, having averaged just 2,17 RPG in five of those six losses (exception was a 9-7 loss to LA last Sunday). Make the Dodgers an 8* play.