Los Angeles Dodgers: Time for revenge in Cincinnati

The Los Angeles Dodgers head into a three-game series at Great American Ball Park looking to avenge a sweep from earlier in the season.

In May, the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Cincinnati Reds in a four-game series that was capped off on Mother’s Day. While the Dodgers were not off to the hottest start, a four-game series against the Reds seemed like the relief to get back on track.

Except it wasn’t. In fact, the four-game series against the Reds put the Dodgers at the team’s worst position of the season. The Reds swept the Dodgers, who then dropped the first two games against the Miami Marlins.

The defending National League Champions dropped six straight games against two of the worst teams in the National League. Prior to the sweep, I promised that if the Dodgers did get swept I would officially wave the white flag on the postseason.

Here we are four months later. The Dodgers are just half a game out of first place in the NL West and are facing the Reds yet again. With the Rockies and Diamondbacks playing each other, winning the series could put the Dodgers in sole possession of first place.

And I still have to go on my promise and say the Dodgers will not make the playoffs. I hope I am wrong.

This game may feel bigger than it really is for some. It may feel less important than it is for others. Regardless of that, the Dodgers are going to have to come out firing in order to cruise to an easy victory. Here is who we think will fuel that victory in our latest Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak selections.

Sarah’s pick — Current streak 0: Max Muncy

My pick for tonight’s opener against the Reds is Max Muncy. Muncy has been absolutely on fire for the Dodgers and it’s one of the reasons they are only half a game back from first.

Tonight, they face the Cincinnati Reds, a team that has already been eliminated from the NL Central. Historically, the Dodgers play pretty well against the Reds and tonight could be more of the same, especially if Muncy hits his 33rd homer of the season.

Jason’s pick — Current streak 1: Matt Kemp

Matt Kemp has not been great in the second half for the Dodgers apart from some big hits, especially against the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, the team’s series against the Reds could serve as a catapult for Kemp to regain his May form.

Kemp was red-hot in the month of May, which surprisingly did not include a good performance against the Reds. Kemp went just 2-15 against the Reds, striking out three times in the process.

This go around, Kemp gets the luxury of playing in a hitter-friendly park that should serve him well.

Kemp is going to find the seats for his 20th home run of the season and is going to do so early to get the ball rolling on what should be a great win for the Dodgers.