Introduction to the NL Wild Card Series
The Cincinnati Reds are set to face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Wild Card Series, marking the beginning of the Dodgers’ playoff run. The Reds, who clinched a postseason berth on the final day of the regular season, are riding a surge of momentum as they head into the best-of-three series at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles (AP) – Cincinnati came crashing into the postseason on the final day of the regular season, and the callow Reds are riding a surge of momentum they hope will carry them against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dangers of Youthful Enthusiasm
"The dangers are the youthful enthusiasm, the naivete," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "A way to combat that is we have to not take them lightly because it’s a really good ballclub. We’re playing against a team that essentially feels like they have nothing to lose."
Game 1: Hunter Greene vs. Blake Snell
Hunter Greene (7-4) makes his first postseason start Tuesday night when the sixth-seeded Reds (83-79) return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 with an NL Wild Card Series opener at Dodger Stadium. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell (5-4) will be on the mound for the third-seeded Dodgers (93-69), who won the NL West for the 12th time in 13 years and are in the wild card for the first time since 2021.
Momentum and Experience
"Even in a short series, you’ll have ups and downs, and they just happen quicker," first-year Reds manager Terry Francona said. "You try to have urgency without panic. Sometimes that’s a hard one to traverse. Get that word in there, too. I got that in a crossword puzzle today." Cincinnati clinched a postseason berth Sunday, the first time the club has done so on the final day of the regular season. The Reds snagged the National League’s third and final wild card when the New York Mets lost to the Miami Marlins.
The Dodgers’ Advantage
"The only reason I came here was to pitch in October," Snell said, "and to really challenge myself personally and see how good I am, face the best when the stakes are the highest." The Dodgers dominated the Reds during the season, winning five of six and outscoring Cincinnati 30-15. "Being at home, not having to travel, it’s important for us to strike early and really not let these guys hang around and gain confidence," Roberts said.
LA’s Japanese Connection
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 ERA) will start Game 2 for the Dodgers on Wednesday. Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 2.87) will probably make his postseason pitching debut if the best-of-three series goes to a third game on Thursday, Roberts said. The two-way superstar didn’t pitch for the Dodgers last season while recovering from a second elbow surgery and he never made the playoffs during six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
Hunter at Home
Greene took in a couple World Series games as a spectator at Dodger Stadium last season. He grew up a fan of his hometown team and will be pitching in front of family and friends Tuesday, including his father Russell, who coached him as a kid. "To be here, it’s a full-circle moment," he said. "Just really special."
Series History
The teams are meeting for the second time in the postseason. The Reds swept the Dodgers in three games in the 1995 NL Division Series.
Francona and Roberts
Francona guided the Boston Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 and took Cleveland there in 2016. His 44 postseason wins are tied with Hall of Famer Jim Leyland for seventh in major league history. Roberts’ 56 postseason wins rank sixth overall and include World Series championships in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and last year.
Conclusion
The NL Wild Card Series between the Dodgers and Reds promises to be an exciting matchup, with both teams looking to make a deep run in the playoffs. The Dodgers, with their experienced roster and dominant regular season performance, will look to use their home-field advantage to take control of the series. The Reds, on the other hand, will rely on their youthful enthusiasm and momentum from their late-season surge to pull off an upset.
FAQs
Q: Who will start Game 1 for the Reds?
A: Hunter Greene will make his first postseason start for the Reds in Game 1.
Q: Who will start Game 1 for the Dodgers?
A: Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell will start Game 1 for the Dodgers.
Q: What is the format of the NL Wild Card Series?
A: The NL Wild Card Series is a best-of-three series, with the winner advancing to the NL Division Series.
Q: Who will the winner of the NL Wild Card Series face in the next round?
A: The winner of the NL Wild Card Series will face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Division Series.
