MLB Predictions – Leake and Reds Prove Resilient Against Dodgers

Our Wednesday night MLB predictions take us to the Great American Bal Park where the Los Angeles Dodgers return to the scene of the crime where they bludgeoned the Cincinnati Reds en route to securing a decisive 12-0 victory in last night’s series opener.

SS Rafael Furcal had a night he won’t soon forget going 5-for-6 with a pair of RBI’s, and Hiroki Kuroda and three Dodgers relievers combined to shut the Reds out. LF Manny Ramirez launched just his sixth HR of the season, but went 3-for-4 and batted four runs in; manager Joe Torre hopes the future Hall of Famer’s bat is finally coming alive.

These clubs now stand 2-2 against one another in the 2010 MLB baseball betting season after the Reds went into Chavez Ravine and took two from the Dodgers back in late April.

Los Angeles Dodgers (37-27, +$322) vs. Cincinnati Reds (36-29, +$573)

Game Date/Time: Wednesday, June 16th, 7:10 ET
Game Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
TV/Radio Broadcast: FOX – Prime Ticket, FOX – Ohio, XM

MLB Betting Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 +135 -125
(Clayton Kershaw – L)

Cincinnati Reds -1.5 -155 +105
(Mike Leake – R)

Total 8.5 O -115 8.5 U -105

Lefty Clayton Kershaw enters his 14th start of the season looking to build upon his solid effort against St. Louis whom he K’d a season high 10 times. He’s 6-3 on the year with a 3.13 ERA & 1.30 WHIP and has gone 7+ innings in four of his L/7 outings.

The Dodgers are 3-2 in his five road outings this season; opponents are batting just .202 against him on the year and he’s averaging an impressive 10.43 strikeouts/9 IP.

His lone career start against the Reds came in this venue in August of last season when the lefty took a no decision after tossing seven innings of two-run ball and struck out 11.

Opposing the Dodgers wunderkind will be potential rookie of the year Mike Leake. The youngster has done nothing but impress in his first go round in the “Bigs” going a perfect 5-0 with a 2.68 ERA & 1.36 WHIP through 77.1 total innings of work.

He was roughed up by San Francisco his last time out as the Giants got to him for 11 hits and five ER’s through 4.1 IP; the outing was the shortest of his brief career. His teammates took him off the hook for a loss in the 8th inning when they tallied three runs and went on to win by a 7-6 final count.

MLB Insider Tip: The Reds boast a winning mark this season (3-1, +$200) after getting shutout, and they’ve managed an 11-9 (+$260) record in that role the L/3 seasons. Last night’s loss was not only painful in that they got “woodshed-ed,” but paired with the Cardinals home win vs. Seattle, they once again sit tied atop the NL Central standings with St. Louis.

Cincy’s 11-8 (+$150) vs. lefties this season and the team has won all four times Leake has been dogged at home.

After splitting with the Giants and then shockingly dropping two of three vs. the Royals in their previous two home series’, my MLB predictions have the Reds taking the field determined to even this one up to give them a chance of taking the series in the rubber match tomorrow afternoon.

My MLB Prediction: Cincinnati Reds (Leake)