The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers face the Cincinnati Reds tonight in Game 1 of the 2025 NL Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium.
Back in March, the Dodgers were expected to cruise to a division title, earn a first-round bye, and march toward another championship. Already a superteam, they added more stars to their rotation this year, with their payroll ballooning to half a billion dollars, luxury tax included.
But injuries hit the rotation early, the lineup later, and cracks in the bullpen showed through the middle of the season. A summer slump nearly derailed their campaign — the Dodgers went 10–14 in July and barely finished above .500 in August — before recovering in September with a .600 winning percentage.
The Dodgers enter October far from invincible, especially after dropping a series to the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this month. Still, the Wild Card round shouldn’t pose too much trouble.
Los Angeles dominated Cincinnati in the regular season, winning five of six meetings. Six of the seven games were decided by an average margin of 2.8 runs, with the lone blowout a 7–0 Dodgers win on August 25 against Reds ace Hunter Greene. In that outing, Greene surrendered five runs (three earned) over five innings — his only start against L.A. this year.
Greene vs. Snell
Greene gets the ball again tonight, starting Game 1 in the city where he was born and raised. The right-hander missed much of the summer with a groin strain but finished strong, going 7–4 with a 2.76 ERA and taking a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs in September into seven innings — showing that he’s postseason ready.
Blake Snell starts for the Dodgers. He hasn’t faced the Reds this season. But their offense isn’t their strength, and it should be no problem for Snell to handle.
The left-hander finished his first season with L.A. on a high note, allowing just one run over his final three starts. Before that, he was roughed up by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-run outing, likely due to rust after paternity leave.
Reds vs. Dodgers Predictions
Expect a close game, but the edge going to L.A. because of their offensive firepower. Snell has the form to silence Cincinnati for seven innings, but if Greene keeps pace, the Reds could have late opportunities against L.A.’s shaky bullpen.
Prediction: Dodgers 4, Reds 2
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
1. T.J. Friedl — CF
2. Noelvi Marte — RF
3. Miguel Andújar — DH
4. Austin Hays — LF
5. Spencer Steer — 1B
6. Elly De La Cruz — SS
7. Tyler Stephenson — C
8. Ke’Bryan Hayes — 3B
9. Matt McLain — 2B
Starting Pitcher: Hunter Greene (RHP) — 7–4, 2.76 ERA (2025 Regular Season)
Los Angeles Dodgers
1. Shohei Ohtani – DH
2. Mookie Betts – SS
3. Freddie Freeman – 1B
4. Max Muncy – 3B
5. Teoscar Hernández – RF
6. Tommy Edman – 2B
7. Andy Pages – CF
8. Enrique Hernandez – LF
9. Ben Rortvedt – C
Starting Pitcher: Blake Snell (LHP) — 5-4, 2.35 ERA (2025 Regular Season)
How to Watch Reds vs. Dodgers
First pitch for tonight’s game between the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers is set for 9:08 PM Eastern / 6:08 PM Pacific at Dodger Stadium in L.A.
The game airs live on ESPN and streams on the ESPN app and website.
If you’re a cord-cutter without an active livestreaming plan, you can watch the game for free by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, or YouTube TV.
YouTube TV even offers a 20-minute free preview, without having to register for a trial — if you just want to catch part of the game.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
First Pitch: 9:08 PM Eastern / 6:08 PM Pacific
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and website
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