The Cincinnati Reds continue their road trip when they take on the San Diego Padres as they look to pick up some ground on the first-place Chicago Cubs National League Central in this Wednesday afternoon matchup at Petco Park. It is time to continue our MLB odds series with a Reds-Padres prediction, pick, and how-to-watch.

The Cincinnati Reds keep their road trip going in San Diego to take on the San Diego Padres in a potential pitcher's duel. The Reds send Graham Ashcraft to the mound, his electric fastball ready to light up the radar gun. The Padres counter with Joe Musgrove, who relies on craftiness and control over pure power. While both offenses feature some big bats, this game could be decided by which starter cracks first. Expect a low-scoring affair with a few explosive moments as sluggers like Elly De La Cruz and Fernando Tatis Jr. look to leave the yard.

The San Diego Padres welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Petco Park to continue their series on Wednesday. The Padres look to continue their recent offensive surge and turn their luck around at home. They'll send Joe Musgrove, a crafty pitcher known for changing speeds and keeping hitters off-balance, to try and shut down Elly De La Cruz and a Reds lineup hungry for runs. The Reds counter with young flamethrower Graham Ashcraft and his blazing fastball. This clash of pitching styles could make for a nail-biter, with a few clutch hits likely deciding the outcome.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Reds-Padres Odds

Cincinnati Reds: +1.5 (-182)

Moneyline: +120

San Diego Padres: -1.5 (+150)

Moneyline: -142

Over: 8 runs (-118)

Under: 8 runs (-104)

How to Watch Reds vs. Padres

Time: 4:10 PM ET/1:00 PM PT

TV: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB Extra Innings

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Reds Will Cover The Spread/Win

The San Diego Padres are the clear favorites as they face the Cincinnati Reds on their home turf. However, baseball is full of surprises, and the Reds have a young pitcher ready to steal the spotlight, Graham Ashcraft.

Ashcraft has been quietly excellent this season. While he might not rack up huge strikeout numbers, his ability to limit hard contact and induce ground balls has been a revelation. He utilizes a well-balanced mix of pitches, keeping hitters guessing and frustrating even the most potent lineups.

On the other side, Joe Musgrove has struggled recently. Although his talent is undeniable, his recent outings reveal a pitcher battling control issues and a tendency to let the long ball haunt him. The Reds lineup, while not filled with household names, has proven opportunistic, capable of capitalizing on an off-target Musgrove.

The Padres lineup is undeniably dangerous, boasting stars like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. But they often rely on a few big bats to carry them, and those stars can go cold. If Ashcraft can navigate the Padres' power early and keep the game close, a few clutch hits by the Reds could become a recipe for an upset.

Cincinnati is flying under the radar. They're rebuilding, but with hungry young players like Ashcraft and infielders Jose Barrero and Spencer Steer, they're developing a scrappy spirit reminiscent of underdog teams that turn heads. While a Reds victory is far from guaranteed, don't be surprised if they pull off a shocker and leave San Diego stunned.

Why The Padres Will Cover The Spread/Win

The San Diego Padres are due for a big win, and tomorrow's matchup against the Cincinnati Reds sets the perfect stage. While the underdog Reds may look to play spoiler, expect a dominant outing from Joe Musgrove to shut down any upset hopes.

Musgrove, despite recent hiccups, is a top-tier talent hungry for a bounce-back performance. His diverse pitch mix, including a wicked slider and unpredictable curveball, can leave hitters flailing. He'll look to set the tone early, putting a scrappy Reds lineup on the defensive from the opening pitch.

The Padres boast one of baseball's most dangerous offensive cores. While they've faced inconsistency this season, stars like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr, and Xander Bogaerts have the power to erupt at any moment. Against a young, developing pitcher like Graham Ashcraft, expect them to break out and turn this into a lopsided affair.

Ashcraft has been solid, but the Padres will expose his control issues when it matters most. They'll force him to throw in the zone and capitalize on mistakes. San Diego's home crowd, eager for a celebratory atmosphere at Petco Park, will provide the Padres an extra boost.

The Reds have fight, but the Padres have the pitching and the firepower to overwhelm them. Look for Musgrove to find his groove early, propelling the Padres lineup to a much-needed blowout victory. This win will silence any doubters and put the Padres back in contention within the competitive NL West.

Final Reds-Padres Prediction & Pick

The Cincinnati Reds have been playing better baseball as of late meanwhile, the San Diego Padres have been slumping a bit over their last 10 games. However, the Padres have some light at the end of the tunnel and that is by taking this series from the Reds. The Padres still boast one of the most prolific lineups in all of baseball, which combined with a solid pitcher in Joe Musgrove is a recipe for success in this Wednesday matchup as the Padres get the job done and try to turn this season around.

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Final Reds-Padres Prediction & Pick: San Diego Padres (-142), Over 8 runs (-118)