Dodgers Sweep Reds 2-0 in NL Wild Card Series, Ohtani’s Power Leads Way

When Shohei Ohtani, the two‑way star of the Los Angeles Dodgers, belted a pair of homers in Game 1, the National League Wild Card SeriesDodger Stadium turned into a fireworks show that no one in Cincinnati could match.

The series‑swinging games unfolded on September 30 and October 1, 2025, at the iconic ballpark in Los Angeles, where the Cincinnati Reds were eliminated after a 10‑5 rout followed by an 8‑4 clincher.

Here's the thing: the Dodgers not only set a franchise record with five home runs in a single postseason game, they combined for 15 hits, 12 strikeouts, and a 7‑2 lead that put the whole stadium into a frenzy. The sweep propels LA into the next playoff round while the Reds head to the offseason with glaring offensive gaps.

Series Overview and Records

The Wild Card Series is a best‑of‑three showdown, and the Dodgers made short work of it. In Game 1 they smashed 5 homers – matching the most ever by a Dodgers team in a postseason contest – and racked up 15 hits, a figure not seen since the 2021 NLCS.

Statistically, the Dodgers outslugged Cincinnati 18‑9 on the two‑day stretch, striking out 21 batters while walking just three. By contrast, the Reds managed only 8 hits total and went a meager 3‑for‑10 with runners in scoring position in the decisive Game 2.

Game 1: Offensive Explosion

When the bell rang at 7:05 p.m. PT on September 30, Blake Snell took the mound for the Dodgers. He delivered seven solid innings, peppering the plate with four strikeouts and keeping the Reds’ line‑up honest.

But the real story was the bat side. Ohtani and Oscar Hernandez each launched two long balls, accounting for four of the five home runs. The fifth came from Mookie Betts, who added a double that opened the door for a five‑run third inning.

"When you see that kind of firepower, you just have to ride the wave," Betts said in the post‑game interview, grinning as fans roared in the stands.

The Reds’ starter, Hunter Greene, made his postseason debut and was tagged with the loss after yielding five runs in four innings. His control wavered, walking three and striking out only two.

Game 2: Pitching Holds the Line

The next day, October 1, the Dodgers handed the ball to Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He threw seven innings of almost flawless work, allowing just two runs and fanning five.

A pivotal moment arrived in the fifth inning when Hernandez ripped a line drive up the middle that raced home for an RBI, clearing the bases for Ohtani and advancing Betts and Freddie Freeman to scoring position. The hit sparked a 7‑2 lead that the Reds never recovered from.

"We just kept applying pressure," Hernandez said, still buzzing from the crowd’s chant.

Reds’ reliever Noelby Marte bit back a crucial strikeout in the eighth with runners on first and second, but the damage was already done.

Reds' Postseason Struggles

After the sweep, Reds manager Terry Francona faced the media with a rare candidness: "I just told our guys we need to do some things better, myself included. I would never ask them to try to get better and I'm just going to sit at home. I'm going to look in the mirror, too. That's what we're supposed to do."

First‑baseman Spencer Steer summed up the collective frustration: "It seemed like every time they got traffic on the basepaths, they cashed those runs in and we didn't."

The Reds' biggest bright spot, shortstop Elly De La Cruz, was mostly silent with the bat in his first postseason appearance – a stark contrast to his 2024 regular‑season breakout where he stole 45 bases and hit .306.

Overall, Cincinnati went 3‑for‑10 with RISP in Game 2, leaving nine runs stranded, eight of them after the sixth inning. The pattern mirrors a season‑long tendency: the Reds ranked 28th in MLB in situational hitting.

Implications for the Playoffs and Offseason

With the sweep, the Dodgers now sit in the NL Division Series, where they’ll likely meet either the Atlanta Braves or the Milwaukee Brewers, depending on the winner of their matchup. Analyst John Valenti of MLB Network noted, "Los Angeles has every weapon needed – power, depth, and a rotation that can dominate any lineup. The real question is whether their bullpen can survive a seven‑game series."

For Cincinnati, the offseason will revolve around shoring up a lineup that struggled to convert opportunities. Front office exec Nick Krall hinted at pursuing a left‑handed power bat in the free‑agent market, while also earmarking improvements in plate‑discipline coaching.

• Series result: Dodgers 2, Reds 0
• Game 1 score: 10–5 (Dodgers)
• Game 2 score: 8–4 (Dodgers)
• Dodgers home runs in Game 1: 5 (team record)
• Reds RISP in Game 2: 3‑for‑10

Key Takeaways

1. The Dodgers proved why they’re a postseason juggernaut – a blend of power hitting and elite starting pitching.

2. Cincinnati’s elimination underscores a chronic issue with situational hitting that must be addressed before next spring.

3. The next round will test Los Angeles’ bullpen depth, while the Reds head into free‑agency with a clear roster‑building roadmap.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this sweep affect the Dodgers' chances in the next round?

The clean 2‑0 victory gives Los Angeles momentum and allows its bullpen to rest before the Division Series. With a rotation featuring Snell, Yamamoto and Ohtani’s two‑way skillset, the Dodgers are viewed as one of the top three contenders in the National League.

What specific weaknesses did the Reds expose?

Cincinnati struggled with runners in scoring position, going 3‑for‑10 in Game 2 and leaving nine runs stranded overall. Their inability to drive in key opportunities, coupled with a lack of power – only one home run in the series – highlighted a need for more consistent middle‑of‑order production.

Who were the standout performers for the Dodgers?

Shohei Ohtani and Oscar Hernandez each hit two homers in Game 1, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered seven innings of two‑run ball in Game 2. Blake Snell earned the win in the opener with seven innings and four strikeouts.

When and where were the games played?

Game 1 took place on September 30, 2025, and Game 2 on October 1, 2025, both at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

What are the Reds planning for the offseason?

General manager Nick Krall indicated the club will explore free‑agency options for a left‑handed power bat and invest in advanced hitting coaches to improve situational hitting, aiming to turn the close games of 2025 into wins next year.