The Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a decisive blow to the Cincinnati Reds' postseason hopes on Wednesday night, completing a two-game sweep in the National League Wild Card Series with a commanding victory at Dodger Stadium. Final score: Dodgers 8-2 over the Reds, sealing their elimination just as the clock struck past 10 p.m. local time. It was a tough pill for manager Terry Francona, who had steered his young squad through a gritty regular season only to see it unravel in this high-stakes matchup.
Indeed, the Dodgers' offense, relentless as ever, piled on runs early, thanks to timely hits and sharp pitching from Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Japanese import tossed 6 2/3 innings, surrendering no earned runs while striking out seven—a performance that lowered his career postseason ERA to a crisp 2.84. The Reds, meanwhile, managed just two runs on five hits, their bats silenced after a spirited but futile comeback attempt in Game 1's 10-5 loss on Tuesday.
Francona, in his first year back managing since leaving Cleveland, cut a frustrated figure postgame. He praised his team's resilience—calling them "cockroaches" earlier in the month for their knack for survival—but admitted the sweep stung. "We fought hard, but they were better tonight," he said, his voice steady yet edged with disappointment. The 66-year-old skipper, a two-time World Series winner, now faces questions about rebuilding around his core talent.
However, one bright spot lingered in the Reds' lineup: shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The 23-year-old phenom went 1-for-4 with a single and a stolen base, flashing the speed that has made him a fan favorite. Yet even his spark couldn't ignite a rally against the Dodgers' bullpen, which locked down the final innings. De La Cruz's season stats—25 homers, 67 steals—offer hope, but Wednesday's outcome underscored the gaps in Cincinnati's pitching depth.
Moreover, the sweep propels the Dodgers into the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, where their star power will face another test. For the Reds, it's back to the drawing board under Francona. As the playoff lights dim on Great American Ball Park, what lessons from this early exit might shape their next contention run?