Reds vs. Dodgers: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The Reds can’t buy a break with a visit to the World Champs.

When you’re the Los Angeles Dodgers, the world simply is not enough. After claiming their first World Series title since 1988, the team refused to sit idle this winter and simply roll out the same roster for the 2021 campaign.

How does one improve a championship club? Why not sign the 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner to strengthen an already lethal starting rotation. Reds Country might remember that pitcher who inked a deal worthy of a convoy of Brinks trucks.

Said hurler, Trevor Bauer, has not disappointed since departing the land of Skyline Chili. Bauer is 3-0 with 2.53 ERA through his first five starts while fanning 45 in 32 innings. In other words, the dominant Trevor Bauer of 2020 is the same guy this year.

Entering play Sunday, the LA pitching staff ranks second in the National League with a team ERA of 2.85 while also occupying the runner-up position, recording 209 punch outs. As a team, the Dodgers have already recorded five shutouts, tied for the most in the senior circuit.

LA hurlers have limited opponents to an anemic .209/.269/.330 slash line. This hardly bodes well for a Cincinnati club that is slashing an embarrassing .198/.259/.331 away from Great American Ball Park beginning play on Sunday.

However, it’s not all about the pitching when it comes to the Dodgers. Their .342 o-base percentage is setting the pace in the league. Currently, LA has only one regular left fielder, AJ Pollock, with an OBP of less than .352. The Dodgers are a testament to the importance of getting on base.

Third baseman Justin Turner is off to a sensational start and leads the Dodgers in nearly every offensive category. Beginning play Sunday, Turner is slashing .356/.435/.658 with a team-leading five homers and 17 RBIs. Not a bad start for the former seventh-round draft pick of the Redlegs.  Sigh.