Los Angeles @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2018 ) LA Dodgers 1, Cincinnati 3

If the Los Angeles Dodgers miss the playoffs, they may be able to look back on their inability to solve the last-place Cincinnati Reds as one big reason why. The Reds will try to sweep the seven-game season series when the teams finish a three-game set in Cincinnati on Wednesday afternoon.

After sweeping four in Los Angeles in May and taking the series opener Monday, the Reds rode a strong start by Luis Castillo and home runs by Brandon Dixon and Scott Schebler to a 3-1 triumph Tuesday. The Dodgers have lost five of eight overall, sit 1 1/2 games back in the National League West and three back in the race for the second wild card in the NL. Ross Stripling will be making his first start in just over a month when he gets the nod for Los Angeles in the series finale. Anthony DeSclafani goes for Cincinnati, which has won four of its last five overall.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (8-3, 2.61 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (7-4, 4.56)

Stripling returned from the disabled list (toe) earlier in the month and retired one batter in relief Friday at Colorado. He will be limited to roughly 45 pitches or three innings of work as he builds back up. The 28-year-old allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings against Cincinnati on May 12.

DeSclafani worked at least six innings in all five of his August starts but has failed to get beyond four in his first two outings this month. He was rocked for four runs and eight hits in four frames in a no-decision against the San Diego Padres his last time out. The University of Florida product is 1-3 with a 3.12 ERA in four prior starts versus Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett is 6-for-8 with four RBIs in the series.

2. Dodgers OF Joc Pederson homered and singled Tuesday after going 0-for-13 over his previous six games.

3. Schebler is 10-for-28 with three home runs and seven RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Reds 4