By Harshit | October 2, 2025 | Los Angeles | 11:40 AM EDT
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers treated their wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds as little more than a dress rehearsal, sweeping the two-game set with an 8-4 victory on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. With the win, Los Angeles now heads to Philadelphia to face the Phillies in a best-of-five National League Division Series beginning Saturday.
The Dodgers, who lost four of six regular-season games against the Phillies, believe they are peaking at exactly the right time. With 17 wins in their last 22 games and 113 runs scored over the last 20, the team’s offense and pitching staff are firing on all cylinders.
Yamamoto Dominates in Key Start
Starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto once again proved why he is one of baseball’s hottest arms. The right-hander allowed two unearned runs in the first inning, retired 13 straight batters with six strikeouts, and struck out nine over 6 2/3 innings. Even when the Reds loaded the bases with nobody out in the sixth, Yamamoto stayed composed, inducing an infield groundout and striking out Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz to escape the jam.
“Any moment isn’t too big for him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He has the ability to make pitches when he needs to and always seems like the best option. From last year to this year, he’s grown the most considering his adjustment to the league and the culture.”
The Dodgers’ offense then turned a one-run game into a 7-2 rout with a four-run sixth inning, sending 10 men to the plate. Mookie Betts led the charge with a four-hit performance, including three doubles and three RBIs, while everyone but center fielder Andy Pages reached base at least once.
Dodgers’ Depth and Postseason Confidence
Los Angeles showcased its depth and postseason readiness, blending veteran experience with emerging talent. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Enrique Hernández, and Max Muncy all contributed key RBIs in pivotal moments. The Dodgers’ bullpen, while still a potential concern, managed to survive despite allowing runs in late innings, with Alex Vesia and rookie Rōki Sasaki closing out the game.
“They’ve had some tough stretches, but it’s not a talent issue,” said Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations. “Confidence and execution will determine the outcome, and we’re focused on getting both right.”
Series Highlights vs. Reds
Seventh Inning: Dodgers extended their lead to 8-2 with Betts’ RBI double scoring Miguel Rojas.
Sixth Inning: A four-run frame, including Ohtani and Betts RBIs, pushed the Dodgers ahead 7-2.
Bases-Loaded Jam: Yamamoto escaped the sixth inning unscathed, striking out Stewart and De La Cruz.
Fourth Inning: RBI doubles from Hernández and singles from Rojas gave the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.
Third Inning: Betts’ RBI single cut Cincinnati’s early lead in half.
First Inning: Teoscar Hernandez’s error extended the inning, allowing Stewart to single in two runs for a 2-0 Reds advantage.
Looking Ahead: Phillies Await
Now, the Dodgers travel to Philadelphia to face the Phillies, a team boasting a 96-win season and stars like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner, backed by a strong rotation including Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, and Jesus Luzardo.
Shohei Ohtani will pitch Game 1, Blake Snell Game 2, and Yamamoto Game 3 back in Los Angeles. If the Dodgers maintain their momentum and pitching dominance, they could be on the path to a deep postseason run, believing this could very well be their World Series team.
