The Los Angeles Dodgers wrap up a four-game set at Great American Ball Park on Thursday afternoon with the NL West title one win away. Los Angeles sits at -177 on the moneyline against a Cincinnati Reds team that finally beat them on Wednesday. That 6-2 loss was costly, as Blake Snell left after one inning. Our first pick zeroes in on the Reds starter, who is in a rough stretch, and our second looks at how many runs this getaway game might produce.
Last Updated: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio |
| When | Thursday, September 17, 2026 – 12:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | SportsNet LA, Reds.TV |
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
Justin Wrobleski gets the ball for Los Angeles. The left-hander is 11-5 with a 3.78 ERA, and his most recent outing was two scoreless innings of relief last Saturday against Miami. Manager Dave Roberts said Wrobleski and Landon Knack, recalled from Triple-A, will share the bulk of the work.
Brady Singer starts for Cincinnati at 6-14 with a 5.38 ERA and 125 strikeouts. Milwaukee tagged him for eight runs in four innings last Saturday, and he walked five in that start.
The bullpen picture matters more than usual today. Snell left Wednesday’s game after 19 pitches with left groin tightness, so Los Angeles relievers had to cover the final seven innings. Those arms now return for a day game after a night game.
The Dodgers are 92-60 and nine games clear of San Diego in the NL West, with their magic number down to one. They took the first two games of this series, 4-1 on Monday and 4-0 on Tuesday. Cincinnati is 71-81 and punched back on Wednesday. Elly De La Cruz homered in that win and pushed his on-base streak to 23 games. For the setup to that game, see our Wednesday preview of this series.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds
| Run Line | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | -1.5 (-105) | -177 | U 9.5 (+100) |
| Reds | +1.5 (-115) | +145 | O 9.5 (-120) |
Odds accurate as of Thursday, September 17, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest MLB Odds – Futures – Props
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Dodgers | 85% | 15% | Reds |
See the latest MLB Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Dodgers vs. Reds Prediction — Can Singer Survive the Champs?
The starting pitching gap drives this read. Singer carries a 5.38 ERA, and he issued five walks in his last start. Free passes are dangerous against a lineup that has already scored eight runs in the first two games of this series. If Singer is wild again, Los Angeles should have chances to build a real lead early.
Los Angeles is also the road team, so it bats in the ninth even with a lead. That extra turn helps a favorite stretch a one-run lead into two. The price works, too. At -177, the moneyline requires a win rate near 64 percent. Asking for a two-run win instead drops the break-even to about 51 percent.
There is a real case against it, however. The Dodgers bullpen is coming off a seven-inning shift, and this is a day game after a night game. Wrobleski has also been working in relief lately, so his leash could be short. The market offers no help, either. The line has moved toward Los Angeles since the open, from -170 to -177, but 85 percent of run line bets are already on the Dodgers. That is movement with the public, not a sharp signal, so treat this as a lean.
The Pick: Dodgers Run Line -1.5 (-105)
Dodgers vs. Reds Prediction — Will the Ball Fly on Getaway Day?
This second read rests partly on the same starter, and it is fair to say so. Singer’s recent form is the biggest reason to expect runs. A Dodgers bullpen covering innings again after a long shift adds to the case. Great American Ball Park also ranks among the best home run parks in baseball, by park factor data. The market leans the same way. The price on more runs has shortened slightly since the open.
Still, this total is set high. This series has produced five, four and eight runs, all under this total. The park also plays closer to average for overall scoring than its home run reputation suggests. A clean start from Wrobleski and a quiet Reds lineup could keep this under. The price is fair, not generous.
The Pick: Over 9.5 (-120)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
The most natural bonus angle here would be a first-five-innings play on the Dodgers. However, Knack may enter before the fifth inning, so that bet would not fully avoid the Dodgers bullpen. We are not adding a third play.
Instead, watch three swing points: Singer’s control early, when Roberts turns to Knack, and whether a worn Dodgers bullpen lets the Reds back in late. The clinch adds motivation, but Los Angeles may also manage its arms with October in mind. For more around the league, see our latest MLB picks coverage.
Here are our picks for this game:
- Dodgers Run Line -1.5 (-105)
- Over 9.5 (-120)
MLB Dodgers vs. Reds FAQ: Thursday September 17, 2026
What time does the Dodgers vs. Reds game start?
The Dodgers and Reds start at 12:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 17, 2026. That is 9:40 a.m. PT for fans in Los Angeles. The afternoon game at Great American Ball Park closes out a four-game series in Cincinnati. It is a day game after Wednesday’s night game between the two clubs.
What channel is the Dodgers vs. Reds game on?
The Dodgers vs. Reds game airs on SportsNet LA for Dodgers fans and on Reds.TV for Reds fans. Both are regional broadcasts, so what you can watch depends on where you live. The game starts at 12:40 p.m. ET from Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Who is pitching for the Dodgers and Reds today?
Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (11-5, 3.78 ERA) starts for the Dodgers, and right-hander Brady Singer (6-14, 5.38 ERA) starts for the Reds. Los Angeles plans to pair Wrobleski with Landon Knack, who was recalled from Triple-A to help cover the bulk of the innings after Blake Snell’s early exit on Wednesday.
Who won the last meeting between the Dodgers and Reds?
The Reds won the last meeting, beating the Dodgers 6-2 on Wednesday, September 16, at Great American Ball Park. Elly De La Cruz homered for Cincinnati. Los Angeles lost Blake Snell to left groin tightness after one inning. The Dodgers had won the first two games of the series, 4-1 and 4-0.
What is the Dodgers’ record this season?
The Dodgers are 92-60 entering Thursday’s game in Cincinnati. They lead the NL West by nine games over the San Diego Padres, and their magic number to clinch the division is one. A win over the Reds on Thursday would wrap up another NL West title for Los Angeles.