The set-up: The LA Dodgers were one win away from their first World Series title since 1988 last season, falling in a Gam7 to the Astros. They entered the current season as the five-time defending NL West champs but almost nothing has gone right for them in 2018. LA lost last night 6-2 to the sad-sack Reds (11-27 record is an NL-worst) and has now lost five of its last six games and 12 of its last 17. "We know we're better than this," manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "We've got to keep believing it. It hasn't shown itself recently. But to just keep grinding, that's all we can do." However, the Dodgers continue this four-game set averaging just 3.2 runs in their last 13 games. Meanwhile, the Reds are showing signs of life under interim manager Jim Riggleman and bring a season-high four-game winning streak into Saturday's contest. New arrival Matt Harvey (the Mets' former "Dark Knight") tossed four scoreless innings on Friday.


The pitching matchup: Homer Bailey (0-5, 5.61 ERA) takes to the mound for Cincy up against LA's Ross Stripling (0-1, 1.93 ERA). Bailey lost his second straight start last Monday, allowing six runs on eight hits in four innings versus the New York Mets. The Reds have lost all eight of his starts in 2018 and he has given up nine HRs and 18 runs over 19 2/3 innings across his last four outings. Bailey is 4-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 10 career starts against Los Angeles, including 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA in five outings at Dodger Stadium. Stripling pitched four scoreless innings in a start last Sunday against San Diego, allowing four hits with five strikeouts (LA lost 3-0). He has worked primarily out of the bullpen this season but moved into the rotation following injuries to Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu. This marks Stripling's third start of the season, after coming out of the bullpen in 11 other games.

The pick: There is cause for concern in LA, as the Dodgers have dropped five of their past six games, with four of those losses coming against the Reds and San Diego Padres, owners of the two worst records in the NL! "Keep grinding," Roberts said. "That's all we can do." He's right about that. The good news is that LA faces Bailey, whose minus-$805 moneyline mark ranks second-worst in MLB in 2018 (about 200 different starters). Bailey may be one of just two active pitchers in the major leagues with multiple no-hitters but his "no-hit days" are over. Make LA a 6* play.