Following a series loss, the Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Cincinnati aiming to ignite a struggling offense against the surging Reds.
Since the All-Star break, the Reds have posted a 6-3 record, including a current four-game winning streak that has positioned them just one game out of a National League Wild Card spot.
Cincinnati’s success has been fueled by a disciplined offensive approach. In their weekend sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Reds outscored their opponents 15-5 with only two home runs, relying instead on aggressive baserunning and situational hitting. Manager Terry Francona praised this style after Sunday’s victory, noting the importance of their “hustle plays.”
Offensively, the Reds are powered by Elly De La Cruz, who leads the team in most major statistical categories. On the pitching side, the Dodgers may face a depleted Cincinnati bullpen in the opener. Key relievers Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagan both pitched for a third consecutive day on Sunday, making their availability for Monday’s game unlikely. The Reds are also reportedly seeking bullpen reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline.
Monday’s game will feature a pitching matchup between right-hander Chase Burns for the Reds and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers. Burns enters the contest with a 0-2 record and a 6.65 ERA but has recorded 10 strikeouts in each of his last two starts. Yamamoto is coming off an outing against the Minnesota Twins where he pitched five innings, allowing one run with eight strikeouts and one walk.
The series is expected to be played in hot conditions, with temperatures in the nineties forecast for all three games and a chance of thunderstorms for Monday’s opener at Great American Ball Park. The first game is scheduled for a 4:10 p.m. PT start.
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