In a decisive Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers dismantled the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 on Wednesday night, completing a swift two-game sweep that sends the defending champions onward while leaving the Reds to ponder another early exit. The final score wasn't even close after the Dodgers erupted for five runs in the fourth inning, powered by home runs from Teoscar Hernández and Shohei Ohtani—his second of the series—leaving Dodger Stadium buzzing with that familiar October energy.
Indeed, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the story on the mound for Los Angeles, tossing 6 2/3 innings of near-perfection, allowing just two earned runs and striking out seven. His performance dropped his career postseason ERA to a crisp 2.84, a testament to why the Dodgers traded for him in the offseason. For the Reds, starter Nick Lodolo fought valiantly but couldn't stem the tide, surrendering those crucial runs before exiting in the fifth. Cincinnati's offense, sparked by Elly De La Cruz's leadoff double in the first, managed only sporadic threats, with De La Cruz himself going 1-for-4 but stealing a base—his trademark flair that thrilled fans even in defeat.
Manager Terry Francona, in his first year steering the Reds, cut a disappointed figure postgame, praising his young squad's grit but acknowledging the harsh realities of playoff baseball. "We scrapped all season to get here," Francona said, his voice steady yet laced with frustration. "These guys gave everything, but tonight, the Dodgers were just better." The loss caps a 2025 campaign where the Reds clawed back from midseason woes to snag a wild card spot, finishing 85-77. De La Cruz, the 23-year-old phenom, ends his year with 25 homers, 67 stolen bases, and a .275 average—numbers that hint at brighter days ahead, even if this postseason stung.
Key Stats from Game 2: Dodgers outhit Reds 12-7; Ohtani now has four homers in his last three playoff games; Reds stranded eight runners on base.
However, the sweep raises questions for Francona about lineup tweaks and bullpen depth heading into 2026. The Dodgers, meanwhile, advance to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, where their firepower could prove unstoppable. As the dust settles in Cincinnati, one wonders if this early heartbreak will fuel a deeper run next fall, or if the NL Central's parity will keep the Reds on the outside looking in.