Dodgers Roll Past Reds En Route to NLDS

Yamamoto of the Dodgers celebrating in the clubhouse after his team's Wild Card series victory over the Reds

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

October 1, 2025

Dodgers 8, Reds 4

The Los Angeles Dodgers rolled past the Cincinnati Reds to advance to the NLDS. Powered by a strong outing from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and an offensive surge, the Dodgers built an early cushion and never looked back. The Dodgers secured the sweep behind clutch hitting and steady pitching.

Dodgers-Reds Game Summary

The game started with the Reds capitalizing early on defensive mishaps by the Dodgers. Teoscar Hernandez dropped a routine fly from Austin Hays that would’ve ended the first inning. Instead, the Reds continued the inning, and rookie Sal Stewart hit an RBI single that drove in Hays and Gavin Lux. What could’ve been a scoreless inning turned into a two-run deficit for the Dodgers.

However, Yamamoto didn’t miss a step after that unfortunate inning. He showed poise and retired the next thirteen batters he faced, not surrendering another hit until the sixth inning.

In the third, the Dodgers started with a Ben Rortvedt double. Mookie Betts drove him in with a single to right field, bringing the deficit to one run. In the fourth, the Dodgers evened the score with an RBI double from Kiké Hernandez that drove in Max Muncy from first. Miguel Rojas gave the Dodgers the lead with a single to shallow left that drove in Hernandez.

In the sixth inning, it looked like the Reds were ready to take back the lead. Yamamoto had worked himself into a bases-loaded situation with no outs. After not allowing a hit for the previous four innings, TJ Friedl, Spencer Steer, and Lux all hit singles. Yamamoto escaped the inning unscathed as Hays grounded into a force play at home before the next two batters struck out.

Late Innings

In the seventh inning, the Dodgers blew the game open. Kiké singled and advanced to third on a groundout by Rojas and a bunt by Rortvedt, where he reached first due to an errant throw by Stewart. This brought Shohei Ohtani up, who singled and scored Kiké. Mookie doubled, bringing in two runs to make the game 5-2. After intentionally walking Freddie Freeman, Teo amended his earlier error by doubling and making the score 7-2.

By the eighth inning, the Dodgers had a secure lead of 8-2 and had to turn to their bullpen. Yamamato withdrew from the game with 6 2/3 IP, 4H, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 9 K. Emmet Sheehan took the mound, and Lux doubled off him. Sheehan walked Hays, and Stewart drove Lux in with a single.

Sheehan lost his composure and threw a wild pitch, then loaded the bases. After a sac-fly from Tyler Stephenson made the game 8-4, Alex Vesia came in to replace Sheehan. Vesia was able to get a strikeout and then get the Dodgers out of another dangerous bases-loaded situation.

Roki Sasaki came in to close out the game in the ninth and retired the side, striking out the first two batters and shutting the door on the Reds.

What Went Right for the Reds

Took Advantage of Defensive Misplays

The Reds capitalized early on the Dodgers’ mistake and struck first in an elimination game. They saw an opening and took most of it, knowing that Yamamoto would not provide them with many chances to get on the board.

Chase Burns Holds Dodgers at Bay

After the Dodgers scored eight runs to take a commanding lead, Chase Burns came in and shut their offense down. He threw for 1 2/3 innings and didn’t allow a single hit or opportunity for the Dodgers to expand their lead further.

What Went Wrong for the Reds

Late Chances Go Unfulfilled

Despite striking early and putting the pressure on, the Reds were unable to sustain momentum. In the eighth inning, much like in Game 1, they failed to extend a rally that could’ve closed the gap. They left runners stranded and weren’t able to add on any more runs. Despite the Dodger bullpen finding itself in a dire situation, they were able to emerge largely unscathed.

Dodger Offense Overwhelms Cincinnati

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Throughout this series, the Dodger offense was relentless and put constant pressure on the Reds’ pitching staff. They were unable to adjust and shut any of the Dodgers’ lineup down. Sustained hitting combined with good baserunning proved too much for the Reds’ offense to overcome.

What Went Wrong for the Dodgers

Instability in the Bullpen

The Dodgers’ starters handled most of the heavy lifting this series, and the bullpen faltered at moments, showing the Reds glimmers of hope. After the starters withdrew, the bullpen instantly worked themselves into jams that took multiple arms to get out of. They are lucky to play behind such a high-octane offense that can provide them with the necessary run support. These moments of vulnerability from the bullpen can become costly against teams better equipped to take advantage of them. The Dodgers rolled past the Reds due to their inability to capitalize on such mistakes. The relief corps will need sharper composure and execution going forward for the Dodgers to be successful.

What Went Right for the Dodgers

Starting Rotation Keeps Reds in Check

The Dodgers’ starters set the tone by dominating early and going deep into the games. Yamamoto was stellar on the bump, allowing only four hits and no earned runs. He kept his composure and was able to limit damage in high-pressure situations, giving the Dodgers a strong foundation. Dominant performance from the starters also allowed the bullpen to have room for error without facing pressure. The Dodgers have won all five of Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s career postseason starts.

“As a starting pitcher, my job is getting as deep into the game as possible. And today I was just trying to get my — bring my everything out there,” said Yamamoto in the postgame press conference.

Dodgers Roll Past With Relentless Offense

The Dodgers roll past the Reds on the back of their high-energy offense. The lineup remained aggressive throughout the series, allowing the pitching staff the room to make mistakes. Even when the Reds responded, the Dodgers showed timely hitting to widen the gap. The depth in their lineup and clutch hitting built leads that were overwhelming for the Reds, and secured the sweep.

Quick Hits

In his last six starts, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has thrown: 40 2/3 IP, 53K, 0.66 ERA, 0.689 WHIP.

No starting pitcher has a lower ERA or more Ks during this span.

Kiké Hernandez has one of the largest OPS increases in the postseason (.173).

Looking Ahead

The Dodgers will face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS beginning Saturday. Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 2.87 ERA) will take the mound for Game 1 against Christopher Sanchez (13-5, 2.50 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:08 pm ET.