MLB matchup analysis

Reds vs Diamondbacks Prediction, Odds and Model Pick

Friday, August 21, 2026 at Chase Field · 9:40 PM ET

Official Pick

LyDia prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks moneyline

Lab Rating
8.7/10
Model lean
Diamondbacks 73.7%
Market probability
57.7%
Model edge
+16.0%
Best moneyline
-142
Sportsbooks checked
9
LyDia model
73.7%
Market
57.7%

The case for Arizona Diamondbacks

Starting pitcher edge: 18 points
LyDia gives Eduardo Rodriguez a 18-point edge over Nick Lodolo, driven mainly by ERA (2.71 vs 4.52) and HR/9 (0.84 vs 1.51).
Bats are hot: +0.018 wOBA
Arizona Diamondbacks is outhitting its own season form over the last 15 days. Recent form is context, not a model input, but it points the same way here.

The case for Cincinnati Reds

The case is thin
The model finds little going Cincinnati Reds's way — it trails on the pitching plan, bullpen, and recent form. The main path to a Cincinnati Reds win is variance.

What to watch

Own bullpen carries risk: 7.1/10
The Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen comes in tired. A lead after six innings is less safe than usual.

Why the setup score is what it is

Conviction: 20/20
LyDia's win probability for Arizona Diamondbacks (73.7%) is well clear of a coin flip -- this is a real, stated lean, not a guess.
Pitching plan: 18/20
Eduardo Rodriguez rates 18 points better than Nick Lodolo on LyDia's pitcher score. That is a real edge, and it earns most or all of the available credit here.
Bullpen: 9.83/20
Both bullpens are rated tired -- this is close to a wash, not an advantage either way.
Offense: 38.9/40
Arizona Diamondbacks's recent offensive form clearly outpaces Cincinnati Reds's over the tracked windows.

Why the price is what it is

Team strength: 51.0%
Before any pitcher or bullpen adjustment, LyDia's team-strength model alone makes Arizona Diamondbacks 51.0% to win. Everything below moves the price from this starting point.
Pitcher score gap: 18 points
The pitcher-score gap favors Arizona Diamondbacks by 18 points. This is the biggest single mover of the price -- a large gap moves it a lot, a small gap barely moves it.
Bullpen adjustment: -0.003
The bullpen-fatigue gap between the two pens nudges the price toward Cincinnati Reds. This moves the price less than the starting pitchers do, since a starter covers more of the game than the bullpen.
Net effect: 51.0% -> 73.7%
Team strength alone had Arizona Diamondbacks at 51.0%. After the pitcher and bullpen terms, the price is 73.7% -- the same number shown as Model Lean above.
The verdict LyDia backs Arizona Diamondbacks at -142. 73.7% to win against a market implying 57.7% - the model sees value and the setup clears every gate.
Read the full model output

Arizona Diamondbacks is an official moneyline pick because it clears both gates: 73.7% model win probability and 8.7/10 Lab Rating. LyDia projects 73.7% against a 57.7% no-vig market number, a 16.0% model edge at -142. Arizona Diamondbacks owns the starting pitcher edge by 18 points. Bullpen read: Elevated volatility. Arizona Diamondbacks's pen efficiency: Below average (3.9/10). Lineup check: Arizona Diamondbacks is a touch above its season form (+0.045 OPS); Cincinnati Reds is in a cold stretch (-0.084 OPS). Recent form supports this side and is included in the unified run projection.

Game information

MatchupCincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks
DateFriday, August 21, 2026
First pitch9:40 PM ET
VenueChase Field
Starting pitchersNick Lodolo vs Eduardo Rodriguez
WeatherGame-time forecast: 106°F, 1% precipitation chance, 4 mph wind from W. This venue has a roof, but the roof status is not confirmed.

Starting pitcher matchup

Full Pitcher Matchup Tool →
Nick LodoloReds · LHP
vs
Eduardo RodriguezDiamondbacks · LHP
MetricRedsDiamondbacks
Pitching planTraditional starterTraditional starter
Expected innings56
ThrowsLL
LyDia pitcher score (higher is better)5573
ERA (lower is better)4.522.71
WHIP (lower is better)1.421.21
K/9 (higher is better)7.26.4
K-BB% (higher is better)8.9%9.6%
K% (higher is better)18.0%17.3%
BB% (lower is better)9.2%7.7%
BB/9 (lower is better)3.62.8
HR/9 (lower is better)1.50.8
Ground-ball rate52.4%45.7%
Fly-ball rate47.6%54.3%

Pitcher edge: LyDia gives Eduardo Rodriguez a 18-point edge over Nick Lodolo, driven mainly by ERA (2.71 vs 4.52) and HR/9 (0.84 vs 1.51).

How to read this: the scorecards above name the starters; every number lives in this table. Highlighted cells mark a gap big enough to matter. K% and BB% are strikeout and walk rate as a share of batters faced -- K-BB% is the two combined into one skill number. HR/9 is home runs allowed per nine innings. Ground-ball and fly-ball rate are neither good nor bad on their own: high ground-ball pitchers trade strikeouts for double plays and fewer home runs, and on this data source the two rates are complementary (they add to 100%), not independent reads.

Strikeout Projections Full strikeout projections →

Nick Lodolo strikeouts
3.4 LyDia projected Ks
No K play · -0.1K difference is below LyDia's 0.7K threshold
Market 3.5K · O -122 / U +105 · 6 books
5.6 LyDia projected Ks
No K play · +0.1K difference is below LyDia's 0.7K threshold
Market 5.5K · O +116 / U -139 · 6 books

Same data source as the Pitcher Matchup Tool, where every starter on the slate is compared side by side.

Reds are 4-6 in their last 10, averaging 3.5 runs per game over the last 15 days, and hitting below their season form; Diamondbacks are 5-5 in their last 10, averaging 4.0 runs per game over the last 15 days, and swinging above their season form. On the season Diamondbacks carry the better run differential per game (+0.03 against -0.70).

MetricRedsDiamondbacks
Last 104-65-5
Last 10 by venue (away team on the road, home team at home)5-5 on the road5-5 at home
OPS, last 15 days0.6110.759
wOBA, last 15 days (hot/cold read)0.2730.333
Runs per game, last 15 days3.54.0
K% last 15 days (lower is better)27.4%20.3%

Last 15 days only. Hot and cold streaks for all 30 teams live on the Stats page.

30-day offense

Full offense tool →
Last 30 daysRedsDiamondbacks
OPS0.648 (-0.047 vs szn)0.783 (+0.069 vs szn)
Runs per game3.75 (-0.336 vs szn)5.11 (+0.588 vs szn)
wOBA (model offense input)0.289 (-0.020 vs szn)0.342 (+0.027 vs szn)
K% (lower is better)28.6% (+3.1% vs szn)18.2% (-1.1% vs szn)

Over the last 30 days the Diamondbacks have been the better offense, 0.342 wOBA to 0.289. They are running hot against their own season line (+0.027 wOBA). Reds are striking out at 28.6% over the window — something the opposing starter can lean on.

Season profile

Full Stats page →
MetricRedsDiamondbacks
Record61-6767-61
Run differential / game (team quality)-0.70+0.03
Runs scored / game (offense, season)4.094.52
Runs allowed / game (defense, season, lower better)4.784.49
Season OPS0.6950.714
K% season (lower is better)25.5%19.3%
OPS vs opposing hand (season)0.7400.785

Season-long team quality, not recent form. Run differential and run environment come from the season standings; splits for all 30 teams live on the Stats page, including the run environment table.

Every team on today's slate, on any two axes you pick. Reds and Diamondbacks are highlighted.

Reds
Combined risk
7.0 Tired
Fatigue
6.4 Tired
Efficiency
3.8 Below average
Diamondbacks
Combined risk
7.1 Tired
Fatigue
6.5 Tired
Efficiency
3.9 Below average

Risk is what the model actually uses: fatigue blended with how well the pen has pitched. High fatigue with high efficiency is a tired pen that is still getting outs.

MetricRedsDiamondbacks
Fatigue6.4/10, Tired6.5/10, Tired
Efficiency3.8/10, Below average3.9/10, Below average
Combined risk7.0/10, Tired7.1/10, Tired
Relief innings, last 7 days26.020.7
Back-to-back arms65
7-day ERA5.195.66
7-day WHIP1.691.45

Fatigue measures workload. Efficiency measures recent run prevention. Combined risk is what the moneyline and totals systems use.

Run total projection

Full Totals Projections →
LyDia projection
10.0
Market total
8.5
Projected away runs
3.6
Projected home runs
6.0
Over price
+103
Under price
-115
Cincinnati Reds team total
3.6 projected
Line 3.5 · O -114 / U -105
No team-total lean
Arizona Diamondbacks team total
6.0 projected
Line 4.5 · O +108 / U -124
Over research lean (+1.5)

The model projects 1.5 runs above the market total. A research lean still requires a setup rating of at least 7.0/10. Team totals remain research-only until their graded sample is established.

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