Reds vs Dodgers Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 10/1/25

CINCINNATI @ LA DODGERS (LAD -255, 8.5)

MLB ODDS, MLB PREDICTIONS, MLB PREVIEWS

Reds vs Dodgers Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 10/1/25

REDS @ DODGERS 10/1/25

After suffering a crushing 10–5 loss in Game 1, the Reds are on the verge of elimination going into Game 2. The Dodgers' relentless lineup was too strong for the Cincinnati bullpen to handle, and Hunter Greene only lasted three innings while giving up five earned runs. Cincinnati had moments despite the overwhelming score: Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer both hit home runs, and the team scored five runs on the road. But, the Reds were never within striking distance. The Reds are only 38–43 away from Great American Ball Park and have now lost six of seven games against LA this season.

Zack Littell (10–8, 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) starts for the Reds and he will need to be at the top of his game. He hasn't faced a lineup as deep as LA's in more than a month. He has given up three runs or more in four of his previous six games. Although Littell has good command (1.7 BB/9), he is susceptible to hard contact, and the Dodgers are the second-best slugging team in the NL. Littell's ability to keep the ball in the yard and receive early run support will determine whether Cincinnati advances to a Game 3.

The Reds need more from the top of the order offensively. In Game 1, Jonathan India and TJ Friedl went 0-for-8 together, and the team only managed one walk while striking out 11 times. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has held opponents to a .183 batting average and recorded 201 strikeouts this season, could have his way with this lineup. Cincinnati can cause some problems with their speed and strength, but they'll need to put together strong at-bats and take advantage of any defensive lapses.

With an early lead and a 10–5 victory, the Dodgers appeared to be a serious contender for the World Series in Game 1. Teoscar Hernández's two home runs and four RBIs caused the offense to soar, and Blake Snell struck out nine batters in seven innings. Both Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman contributed multi-hit games, and LA used timely power and unrelenting contact to punish Hunter Greene's fastball-heavy strategy. The Dodgers are 52-29 at home and have now defeated Cincinnati six of seven times this season.

Yamamoto (12–8, 2.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) has been dominant in his last three starts, including six scoreless innings against Arizona. Yamamoto has gone five or more innings in eight consecutive appearances, has 19 quality starts, and a 10.4 K/9 rate. He has neutralized lefty-heavy lineups with a strong pitch mix, including his splitter. LA can rely on its depth and put Cincinnati in reactive mode if Yamamoto establishes the tone early.

The Dodgers are dominating offensively. They have hit 10 or more runs in three of their last six games, rank second in the NL in slugging (.439) and third in batting average (.253). Ohtani, Freeman, Hernández, and Will Smith are all capable of turning a game with a single swing.

After last night’s 15-run game, keep this in mind. In 8 of the last 12 games played between these two teams, the Under has cashed. The Under has also cashed in 4 of the last 6 road games for Cincinnati.

Get free MLB Picks and MLB Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2025 MLB schedule from JA Cavalier, one of the industry's premier expert MLB handicappers. J.A. Cavalier has been  bringing the MLB betting community the MLB free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best MLB money line and run line odds and game totals. 

FREE PICK: ZACK LITTELL UNDER 14.5 OUTS

This is playoff baseball and the Reds are one loss from being eliminated. Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that Littell was a reliever. In fact, Littell has 14 appearances against the Dodgers. None of them lasted more than 1⅔ innings. The Reds will pull out all the stops to get the win tonight. That means using a guy like Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, or even Brady Singer. In Littell’s final start of the regular season against Milwaukee, he was done after 14 outs. During the season, he averaged 17.5. The books are telling you he won pitch into the fifth inning.