Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 10/1/25, 6:04 PM  by Erik Gibbs in MLB Picks

Dodger Stadium will be the scene for Game Two of the NL Wild Card series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds enter this contest as the No. 6 seed in the National League and are hoping to avoid elimination after falling in the series opener.

Cincinnati closed the regular season playing solid baseball, winning seven of their last 11 games, and their pitching staff ranked a respectable 12th in the majors with a 3.86 ERA. That form, however, was nowhere to be found in Game 1. Young ace Hunter Greene lasted only three innings, surrendering five runs in what turned into a 10-5 defeat.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, looked every bit the contender they have been for more than a decade. They have not missed the playoffs since 2012 and are seeking consecutive World Series titles, a feat that would cement their dynasty status. On Tuesday, Shohei Ohtani wasted no time setting the tone, belting a leadoff home run before adding a towering 454-foot blast later in the game. Teoscar Hernandez provided the power as well, smashing two homers and driving in four runs to give Los Angeles a commanding lead that Cincinnati could not overcome.