Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Angels Gm.1 odds, picks and predictions

The Cincinnati Reds (65-61) wrap up a 3-game series with a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels (61-65) Wednesday. First pitch from Angel Stadium for Game 1 is at 4:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Reds vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Reds lead 1-0

The Reds took the series opener on Tuesday 4-3, snapping a 2-game losing skid. They are 6-12 in their last 18 games. Cincinnati is in 3rd place in the NL Central, 4 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers and a half-game behind the final NL Wild Card.

The Angels have lost 2 straight games and are 5-14 in their last 19 games. Los Angeles is in 4th place in the AL West, trailing the division-leading Texas Rangers by 11 games and the Seattle Mariners by 10 games for the final AL Wild Card.

Reds at Angels projected starters

LHP Andrew Abbott vs. RHP Shohei Ohtani

Abbott (8-3, 2.99 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 81 1/3 IP.

• Last start: Win, 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 7-2 home win vs. Cleveland Guardians last Wednesday
• Has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 10 of 14 starts

Ohtani (10-5, 3.17 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.06 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 11.4 K/9 through 130 2/3 IP.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 4-1 home win over San Francisco Giants on Aug. 9
• Has allowed only 1 run (0 earned) over his last 3 starts (19 IP)

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Reds at Angels odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:04 a.m. ET.

Reds at Angels picks and predictions

Prediction

Reds 5, Angels 4

Neither team is on a particularly good run as the Reds are 6-12 in their last 18 games and the Angels are 5-14 in their last 19.

The Reds are 11-3 in Abbott’s starts and have won 5 of his last 6 outings.

The Angels are 3-1 in Ohtani’s last 4 turns but he hasn’t pitched since Aug. 9.

BET REDS (+140).

The Angels are 58-68 ATS. Three of their last 7 wins have been by only 1 run.

The Reds lead the majors with a 79-47 ATS record and they’re also 65-30 ATS as underdogs. Cincinnati has won outright the last 9 times it has covered the spread as an underdog, so while betting the cover isn’t a bad wager, you get much better value with the moneyline.

PASS.

Four of the Reds’ last 6 games have not reached 8 total runs.

None of Ohtani’s last 3 outings have had more than 8 total runs.

Abbott’s last 4 outings have had at least 9 total runs.

Five of the Angels’ last 7 games have had 9 or more runs.

BET OVER 8 (-115).

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