The Los Angeles Dodgers are one victory away from advancing in the playoffs after a dominant 10-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. Blake Snell delivered a masterful performance on the mound, tossing seven innings while allowing just two runs in his postseason debut with the Dodgers. That outing wasn't just solid; it was the kind that shifts momentum hard in a short series like this. Teoscar Hernández and Shohei Ohtani each smashed two home runs, turning the game into a Dodgers' power display that left the Reds scrambling early.
Now, attention turns to Game 2 on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, where the Dodgers send Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the hill against Cincinnati's Zack Littell. Littell, who's been a steady arm for the Reds this season with a 3.82 ERA over 28 starts, faces an uphill battle. The Dodgers' lineup, already clicking with five homers in the opener, could exploit his tendency to give up hard contact—opponents slugged .412 against him. Indeed, predictions lean heavily toward Los Angeles covering the spread, with experts pointing to Yamamoto's pinpoint control and the home crowd's energy as key factors.
Austin Hays has been a quiet but effective piece for the Dodgers lately, batting .278 in September with timely hits that spark rallies. His role in the outfield might prove crucial if the Reds try to manufacture runs against Yamamoto, who struck out 174 batters in the regular season. However, Cincinnati isn't out of it yet; Elly De La Cruz's speed and power could rattle the Dodgers' defense if they get on base. The Reds need a bounce-back from their bullpen, which faltered late in Game 1, or this series might end abruptly.
Moreover, the Dodgers' depth shines through here—Snell could return on short rest if needed for a potential Game 3, but that's unlikely given their edge. Betting lines have LA as heavy favorites at -180, reflecting the general sentiment that Cincinnati's magic run faces a steep wall. Still, playoffs breed surprises, and the Reds' young core might just force a decisive third game.
What does this mean for the broader postseason picture, as the Dodgers gear up for a possible rematch with Philadelphia?