The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't just win—they dominated. In a swift and decisive Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series, they dispatched the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, clinching the series and booking their ticket to the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was over before it really began for Cincinnati, who now head home empty-handed after a promising regular season push.
Indeed, the predictions leading into this matchup had leaned heavily toward the Dodgers, with experts pointing to their star-studded lineup and home-field edge. Zack Littell took the mound for the Reds, the 29-year-old right-hander looking to build on his solid late-season form. But against a Dodgers offense that erupted for five home runs in Game 1, Littell faced an uphill battle from the first pitch. He managed just four innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits, including a two-run homer that silenced the visiting fans early. Littell's postseason debut, ironically against the same Dodgers he'd faced in regular-season tune-ups, ended in frustration.
Over in the Dodgers' dugout, Blake Snell's masterful Game 1 performance still lingered in the air—seven innings of two-run ball that set the tone for the sweep. Snell, the crafty lefty acquired midseason, struck out nine and walked none, proving his worth in the playoffs once again. And then there was Austin Hays, the gritty outfielder who's been a quiet force in the lineup. Hays chipped in with a key RBI single in the fifth, extending LA's lead and showing that depth matters when the lights shine brightest. His steady at-bats, often overlooked amid the Shohei Ohtani hype, helped grind out the victory.
However, the Reds fought back valiantly in spots, scratching across a few runs late with some opportunistic hitting. Their bullpen held firm for a while, but the Dodgers' relentless pressure proved too much. Predictions had called for a Dodgers win, maybe even a close one, but this felt more like a statement. Los Angeles advances with momentum, their rotation depth intact for the Phillies showdown.
Moreover, as the dust settles on this quick series, one can't help but wonder how the playoffs' unpredictability will play out next.