The Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a decisive blow to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night, completing a sweep in the National League Wild Card Series with a commanding victory. Game 2 at Dodger Stadium ended 7-2 in favor of the hosts, eliminating Cincinnati and sending Terry Francona's young squad packing after just two games. It was a tough pill to swallow for the Reds, who had clawed their way into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, only to run into a Dodgers team firing on all cylinders.
Indeed, the Dodgers' offense proved relentless once again. Yoshinobu Yamamoto anchored the mound for Los Angeles, tossing 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball and allowing just two unearned runs—his postseason ERA now sits at a crisp 2.84. The bats backed him up with timely hits, including a three-run outburst in the fourth that put the game out of reach early. For the Reds, starter Nick Lodolo fought valiantly but couldn't stem the tide, surrendering four runs over five innings. The final score: Dodgers 7, Reds 2. Yesterday's loss capped a whirlwind September for Cincinnati, where they won 12 of their last 15 to snag that wild card spot.
Terry Francona, in his first year managing the Reds, cut a disappointed figure in the postgame presser. "We gave it everything," he said, his voice steady but edged with frustration. The 66-year-old skipper, a two-time World Series winner with Cleveland, had infused the team with his trademark grit, but it wasn't enough against this Dodgers juggernaut. Elly De La Cruz, the electric shortstop who's become a Reds cornerstone, flashed his speed with a stolen base but went 1-for-4 at the plate, stranding runners in key moments. His baserunning flair—remember that double-steal earlier this season that left even Francona in awe?—couldn't spark a comeback this time.
However, the series exposed some raw edges in Cincinnati's lineup. The bullpen faltered late, and defensive miscues compounded the woes. Francona praised his players' fight, noting how De La Cruz and the young core grew under pressure. Moreover, the Reds' 88-win season under Francona marks progress from recent years, but falling short stings. As the Dodgers advance to face the Phillies in the NLDS, Cincinnati heads into an uncertain offseason.
What does this mean for Francona's vision in Cincinnati, and can De La Cruz lead the next charge?