On June 8th, the Los Angeles Dodgers will face off against the Cincinnati Reds in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Both teams have been performing well this season, with the Dodgers currently sitting at the top of the National League West and the Reds in second place in the National League Central.
Starting Pitchers
The starting pitchers for this game will be Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers and Tyler Mahle for the Reds. Kershaw is a veteran left-hander who has been with the Dodgers since 2008. He has a 7-5 record this season with a 3.66 ERA and 95 strikeouts. Mahle, on the other hand, is a young right-hander who has been with the Reds since 2017. He has a 5-2 record this season with a 3.32 ERA and 72 strikeouts.
Predictions
The Dodgers are currently favored to win this game, with most sportsbooks giving them odds of around -200. This is not surprising given their strong performance this season, as well as their impressive record against the Reds in recent years. However, the Reds are not to be underestimated, and they have been playing well lately, winning six of their last ten games.
One factor that could play a role in this game is the Dodgers’ recent struggles against right-handed pitchers. They have a .228 batting average against righties this season, which is significantly lower than their .267 average against lefties. Mahle is a right-handed pitcher, so it will be interesting to see how the Dodgers fare against him.
Another factor to consider is the Dodgers’ bullpen, which has been one of the best in the league this season. If Kershaw can pitch well and keep the game close, the Dodgers’ bullpen could come in and shut down the Reds’ offense.
Overall, while the Dodgers are certainly the favorites in this game, the Reds have the potential to pull off an upset if they can get some timely hits and take advantage of any mistakes made by the Dodgers.
Conclusion
The June 8th matchup between the Dodgers and Reds promises to be an exciting game, with two talented teams facing off against each other. With Kershaw and Mahle on the mound, it will be interesting to see how the starting pitchers perform, and whether the Dodgers’ struggles against right-handed pitchers will come into play. While the Dodgers are favored to win, the Reds have the potential to pull off an upset if they can play to their strengths and take advantage of any opportunities that come their way.