In a postseason that started with high hopes for the Cincinnati Reds, the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a swift and decisive blow, sweeping their National League Wild Card Series with an 8-4 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night. The Dodgers, riding the momentum from their dominant 10-5 win in the opener, now advance to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series. Indeed, Los Angeles' powerhouse lineup proved too much for a Reds team that fought valiantly but couldn't keep pace.
Game 1 set the tone, as Blake Snell delivered a masterful postseason debut, tossing seven innings and allowing just two runs while striking out nine. The Dodgers' offense exploded behind home runs from Teoscar Hernández and Shohei Ohtani—each belting two—along with contributions from Mookie Betts and others, piling on 10 runs early. Snell's performance, a stark reminder of his Cy Young pedigree, silenced any doubts about his midseason acquisition. However, the Reds' Hunter Greene struggled in response, giving up five runs in four innings, leaving Cincinnati in a deep hole from the start.
Turning to Game 2, Zack Littell took the mound for the Reds, bringing some regular-season stability with a 3.42 ERA over 32 starts. Predictions had favored the Dodgers heavily, with odds listing Los Angeles as -200 favorites and experts pointing to their home-field edge at Dodger Stadium. Littell held his own initially, but the Dodgers chipped away, scratching out runs against him in the middle innings. Austin Hays, slotted into the Dodgers' outfield mix, added a key RBI single in the fifth, helping extend the lead to 5-2. Yet, for all his efforts, Littell's night ended after 5.2 innings with four runs allowed, underscoring the Reds' pitching woes in the clutch.
The sweep wasn't without drama; Cincinnati rallied late with a two-run homer from Elly De La Cruz, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto closed the door for LA, striking out the side in the eighth. Moreover, the Dodgers' depth shone through—Austin Hays' steady bat complemented the stars, while the bullpen locked it down. Still, questions linger about the Reds' young core after such a quick exit. What does this mean for Cincinnati's rebuild, and can the Dodgers sustain this fire through October?