A Total Mismatch on Tap

The Dodgers send Blake Snell to the mound, and Snell has looked like his Cy Young-caliber self since returning to the rotation.

Snell has made six starts since coming back from his injury, and he has not allowed more than a single run in any of them. He has surrendered just four runs total across those six starts and has gone at least six innings in four of them.

That is the version of Blake Snell the Dodgers were hoping to get when they brought him in.

Meanwhile, Andrew Abbott is heading in the opposite direction.

Abbott just allowed seven runs in his last start and seven runs two starts before that. He has now allowed four or more runs in four of his last six starts and has failed to complete five innings in each of his last three outings.

That is a bad combination when you’re facing the Dodgers.

I expect Los Angeles to put pressure on Abbott early, and if he continues his recent struggles, this game could get away from Cincinnati in a hurry.

On the other side, Snell has been doing exactly what the Dodgers need him to do — limiting damage, working deep into games and giving his offense plenty of opportunities to win.

The Dodgers should crush Abbott here, while Snell shuts down the Reds.

I’m riding with Los Angeles.

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