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Cincinnati (0-1) at LA Dodgers (1-0)
- When: Oct 1 2025, 9:08 PM
- Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
- Where to watch: ESPN
Cincinnati vs LA Dodgers MLB Playoff Preview & Pick
Moneyline: LA Dodgers -300
Spread: LA Dodgers -1.5 (-135)
Total: 8.0
Los Angeles Dodgers: Big Bats, Shaky Bullpen and a Chance to Advance
The Dodgers came out swinging like it was batting practice in Game 1, blasting five homers, including two apiece from Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez, en route to a 10-5 pounding of Cincinnati. The offense looked postseason-ready. The bullpen? Not so much.
Despite an 8-0 cushion, Dave Roberts watched his relievers walk four in the eighth inning alone (two with the bases loaded) and struggle to get out of the jam with any dignity. This mirrors the trend from September when the LA pen posted a bottom-five ERA in the NL.
Game 2 X-Factor: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ ace, gets the ball. The 12-game winner finished with a 2.49 ERA and nearly no-hit Baltimore last month. He also beat Cincinnati earlier this year with 7 strong innings and 9 K’s. Expect him to be the adult in the room for a team with serious title hopes.
Dodgers Player Prop Pick: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Over 6.5 Strikeouts – Facing a swing-happy Reds team that struck out 13 times in Game 1, Yamamoto is in prime form to go deep and dominate the K column.
Cincinnati Reds: Late Spark, but Is It Too Late?
The Reds looked like they packed it in early, trailing by eight runs before finally showing life in the 7th and 8th. They plated five runs and gave themselves a shred of confidence heading into Game 2.
Zack Littell, acquired midseason, takes the hill for the Reds. He’s no stranger to LA, having seen them 14 times—though never as a starter. His 4.39 ERA in a Reds uniform won’t exactly scare the Dodgers, but Littell has playoff experience and seems ready for the moment.
Manager Terry Francona is keeping it loose but knows what’s at stake. Another slow start and they’ll be booking Cancun flights by the 6th inning.
Reds Player Prop Pick: Elly De La Cruz to Record a Hit – Elly’s explosive speed and bat make him the Reds’ best shot to jump-start the offense. He went 1-for-3 in Game 1 and should stay active at the plate.
Score Prediction & Final Take
The Dodgers have the firepower, the home crowd, and a lights-out starter on the bump. Unless the bullpen implodes in legendary fashion, LA should cruise into the next round.
Score Prediction: Dodgers 6, Reds 3
Pick: LA Dodgers -1.5 (-140)
Total: Over 8.0 (-115)
- MLB Playoff Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
