The Cincinnati Reds begin their playoff journey tonight as they take the field out west. On the other side of the field in the home dugout will be the defending World Series champs – the Los Angeles Dodgers. First pitch tonight is scheduled for 9:08pm ET. The entire series will be broadcast on ESPN.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Shohei Ohtani – DH |
| Noelvi Marte – RF | Mookie Betts – SS |
| Miguel Andujar – DH | Freddie Freeman – 1B |
| Austin Hays – LF | Max Muncy – 3B |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Teoscar Hernandez – RF |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Tommy Edman – 2B |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Andy Pages – CF |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B | Enrique Hernandez – LF |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Ben Rortvedt – C |
| Hunter Greene – RHP | Blake Snell – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Hunter Greene | 107.2 | 2.76 | 0.94 | 26 | 132 |
| Blake Snell | 61.1 | 2.35 | 1.26 | 26 | 72 |
| Links: Hunter Greene’s Stats | Blake Snell’s Stats | |||||
Hunter Greene
When Hunter Greene was on the mound in 2025 he was dominant. He made 19 starts in 2025, missing over two months while on the injured list (twice) with a groin injury. His ERA was 0.01 higher in 2025 than it was in 2024. This season he allowed more home runs than in 2024 despite making seven fewer starts, but his control was significantly better after giving up 76 free trips to first base in 150.1 innings between his walks and hit batters and giving up just 28 of them in 107.2 innings this season.
Lefties and righties both had plenty of struggles against Greene in 2025. Right-handed hitters had a slightly higher average, but they walked less and hit for less power. Lefties had small advantages in on-base percentage and slugging, but didn’t get on base or hit for much power. Not shown below in the splits is that Greene was significantly worse on the road (8 starts, 4.81 ERA with 10 home runs allowed) than he was at home (11 starts, 1.58 ERA with five home runs allowed).
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 213 | 40 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 63 | .199 | .241 | .353 |
| LHH | 207 | 35 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 15 | 69 | .184 | .251 | .384 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Slider | Split | |
| Velo | 99.4 | 89.6 | 88.3 |
| Usage | 54% | 35% | 11% |
Blake Snell
Like Hunter Greene, Blake Snell missed time this season. After making two starts to begin the year he missed the next four months with a shoulder injury – returning on August 2nd. The 2-time Cy Young Award winner was dominant for the Dodgers over his 11 starts, posting a 2.35 ERA.
The splits are in the small sample size range a bit for a starter, but the lefty was very good against both groups of hitters in 2025. Lefties didn’t face him much but when they did they didn’t do a whole lot and struck out a ton. Righties hit a little better, but they still didn’t hit. Not shown below is that he was significantly better at home (7 starts, 1.17 ERA) than on the road (4 starts, 4.30 ERA) – but he did struggle with control at home as he walked 20 batters in 38.1 innings.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 198 | 40 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 54 | .231 | .310 | .324 |
| LHH | 56 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 18 | .224 | .296 | .286 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 95.1 | 80.5 | 88.1 | 85.4 |
| Usage | 44% | 22% | 11% | 24% |
When and Where
- Game time: 9:08pm ET
- Where: Dodger Stadium
- Watch: ESPN
- Listen: 700WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 70°, sunny, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
The Reds 26-man roster for the series
Not much of a change to the 28-man roster that the team ended the season with. Brady Singer and Zach Maxwell were left off of the roster for this round, but everyone else who was there on Sunday against Milwaukee is still on the active roster tonight. You can double check all the names here.
Playoff Odds
Fangraphs updated their World Series Championship odds and the Reds now have the lowest odds among the 12 teams (they were tied for the last spot with Cleveland before rosters/rotations were announced). They are sitting at 1.1%. ESPN has the odds for Cincinnati a bit better at 1.5%. Both give the Reds about a 1-in-3 chance of winning the series over the Dodgers (Fangraphs link to the series breakdown).
I was hoping to see Sal at third. Oh well on Tito I trust
lol, I have seen so, so many comments on RLN that start with ‘what I would do different’ then end with ‘I trust Tito’
Fans have been criticizing managers for so many years. We don’t need to keep putting the disclaimer on there for Tito. 🙂
The counting stats on both sides of the ball for the Dodgers are very daunting. Probably a major cope, but only a few hitters have been getting it done in September and in general they don’t hit as well at night. That’s all I got lol.
Let’s gooooo!
In
The lineup is what it is, I get that.
Hoping for some early runs to get some confidence going for the Reds and to give Greene some support. Hopefully Greene is mixing his pitches and dominant.
Exciting to actually be playing some playoff baseball for a change. Go Reds!
Can Hunter Greene hold the Dodgers to negative runs?
Kidding aside this is close to the lineup I would have used. I might have put the batting order differently but the only thing I’d change player wise is Stewart in at third instead of Hayes. 3.5 hours until the start of a World Series run.
Yeah, my only change would be Stewart over McLain (so Steer plays 2B) or over Hayes. I don’t care which, but I hate both McLain and Hayes starting together from a run production standpoint.
But I’m hoping they both go 4 for 4 tonight to shut me up!
Muncy (batting cleanup) and Edman (6th) are struggling right now at the plate. And of course the LAD are missing W Smith. Hopefully Greene dominates and we find enough success to take Game 1.
Go Reds!!!
I’m trying to block out the voice in the back of my mind that keeps saying our chances to advance is dependent on tonight.
One game at a time is the correct motto, but this game seems so important, especially with Greene pitching.
Reds 4
Dodgers 3
I’m personally expecting 3-2.
Greene gives up a solo homer.
Bullpen gives up an RBI double, but get out of the jam.
I like the lineup actually. Let’s hope all of these players give it their all and don’t make mental mistakes. In the Playoffs teams need to play smart ball.
Every game is a tough game from here on out. No easy wins in the playoffs.
Go Reds!
There’s no team I’d like to beat more than the Dodgers. That was true back when we were in the same Division and the economics of baseball made sense. It’s even more true now with them having such ridiculous financial advantage. And I’m still bitter over Fernando Valenzuela stealing Tom Seaver’s Cy Young. Go Reds!
14 and 2, 13 and 7, I’m still ticked about that
Perfectly setup for the upset. No expectations from anyone, possibly even them selves. LA overconfident given they won 5 of 6 this year. Andujar and Elly battle for MVP and the Reds advance.
Let’s hope you are correct, at least with which team advances.
I do not agree that *all* the pressure is on the Dodgers tonight. This is a best-of-three, which means someone will be facing an elimination game tomorrow. No one or no team wants to be in that situation, especially with 2 wins required to get out alive.
Hayes and McLain at the bottom of the lineup makes me cry, anyway, let’s go Reds!
I predict that Hayes or McLain will play a big part in our win
Dodgers Reds were a big rivalry back in the 70’s. bigger than current ones with Cubs or Cardinals. hated the Dodgers. be a good night for Hunter Greene to throw his first MLB no-hitter! go Reds!!!
I hated the Dodgers then and I hate the Dodgers now.
+10,000
Garvey, Lopes, Russell, and Cey – I hated them. And LaSorda too!
My parents did the food catering for the Dodgers spring the 70’s. My idiotic brother stole Tommy Lasorda’s ball jacket. No more catering after that. My father wanted to throw him into the Ohio river
Don’t forget the likes of Dusty Baker, Rick Monday, Steve Yeager, and Don Sutton!
Both Hernandez and Rortvedt have negative WAR and the year.
That’s surprising.
Both Hernandez and Rortvedt have negative WAR on the year.
That’s surprising.
So surprising, I just had to say it twice!
You can say that again.
I remember a heavily favored team against the Reds, everyone said they had no chance. Oh yeah, another California team. Tony Larussa might recall it.
Anyone ever hear of the Nasty Boys?
Go Reds!!!!!
“A Jose Canseco bat??? Tell me you didn’t pay money for this!”
Ashcraft and Barlow oh yeahhhhh! The Crusty Boys maybe?
Glad it’s only a three game series
Agree, it’s our best chance to win it
If the Dodgers don’t win tonight, they’ll need to beat Andrew Abbott with a left-heavy lineup and a $350-million payroll hanging in the balance. Easy peasy.
Go Redlegs! Go get em HG.
Abbott AND Lodolo coming in from the ‘pen.
I’ll take 3-4 innings from both of them, then hand it over to El Tigre and Pagan.
I believe Littel is the scheduled starter Wednesday. Abbot will start game three Thursday if it is necessary. Lodolo will work out of the pen this series.
It’s the classic have versus have nots they are better on all fronts. We have nothing to lose though. I am hoping for a little more aggressive baserunning from McClain and Elly we can push some runs through and play a clean game on defense. If that happens I think we are in business.
A little bit of good news for the Reds in that Conforto is not on the Dodgers’ roster for this series! I seem to recall that Conforto did damage during the 6 games the Reds played against the Dodgers during the regular season!
He has had a miserable year. Glad Nick Krall passed on him.
MM needs to move closer to the plate & turn into Ron Hunt and take 3 for the team to get on.
Go Redlegs!!!
“One game at a time, Sweet Jesus … that’s all I’m asking from you …”
OK, a bit corny 😉
I also go way back to the days when the NL West rivalry had us against them. And it seemed to take 2 days to get the late box scores … 😮
Here’s to HG and the Boyz giving it their all. You earned this spot and now it’s up to you to keep up the winning.
Let’s kick some Trolley Dodgers but good!!
Fingers crossed they don’t get no hit
Dont let Pages or Edman beat us. If Otahi or Freeman or Bett plays heroic ball and beats us, it’s ok.
Let’s go Reds! Make us proud!
Great experience for the Reds players who’ve never been to the playoffs. Hopefully it motivates them going into next year as well. I was thinking kind of cool for Ke’Bryan Hayes too coming from the Pirates, lot of ups and downs, struggles hitting, yet here he is starting at 3B in the playoffs. While his hitting is pretty bad overall statistically, sometimes I feel he takes some good cuts and just misses, so there’s some potential there for some big hits.
I wonder if Francona will pinch hit Lux for Mclain 6th inning or so if the game is close, and then maybe bring in Espinal in the 9th for instance for defense at 2B. If it’s close I think Francona, and maybe Roberts too will be in a bit of a chess match with the moves in the game. In the past I thought Roberts wasn’t always wise with his moves in the playoffs for the Dodgers, but I think he’s gotten better with all the experience of managing playoff games. Should be interesting.
I hope y’all asked your parents if you could stay up late and watch.
This only come around every 10 years or so.
There’s no cleteing in the playoffs.
I’m here for the duration. Planning my first ever Spring Training trip during the commercials! I’m been smiling since Sunday!
Cool stuff V4L.
I just retired, so maybe that’s in my future too.
They’re built for a short series and they have the manager for a short series. Do it.
If the Reds pitching can hold LAD on , the Reds offense will have chance to come through… This first game is huge…The Reds should try to score first and keep the lead , coming from behind would be pretty tough in my opinion…
Let’s go Redlegs!!
Dream Weaver with the INF era….just like I remember him.
So, ESPN asked their 25 MLB “experts” to pick the winners of each Wild Card series!
The results for the Reds-Dodgers series? 24-1 in favor of the Dodgers!
The same experts who had the Mets favored by 90% a few days ago.
Did they pick the Dodgers or the ESPN Ohtani’s?
Remember, kids, if you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-4-OHTANI for help and funding.
They should post that in the dugout.
No Will Smith in the lineup is a plus. He kills the Reds (8 hrs, .934 ops)
I’ll stick it out as best as I can. At some point, I’ll shut down the laptop and commenting and watch from the comfort of my bed.
Let’s do this, Reds!
Boy pitching the name of the game in all the other games today. Hopefully the same in this one tonight.
I still say lineups matter and Stewart/Espy made more sense tonight. Espy is actually 4 for 6 in the playoffs. Lineups matter. SD started 5 lefties vs a lefty. Same thing they did vs AA recently and that was the best game he’s thrown since the 1st half.
Oh well. Lets go get it 3-2 tonight. Lets hit 2 HRs off Snell and make it hold up
Word is definitely out to pound Marte in….and he keeps swinging. Not sure if that one was inside, but most of them are
Too aggerssive approach… It’s not good if Snell is on very low pitch count…
Disagree…get the 1st fastball you see and tag it.
Go Red Sox!!!
+1
50 year WS renewal?
Would be a great matchup.
Oopsy
I can tell already this ESPN crew is going to be difficult to listen to. Definitely homeboy/fanboys
A lot of ex-Red impact in the Yankees’ 3-1 loss to the Red Sox! Luke Weaver took the loss for the Yankees and Aroldis Chapman got the save for Boston after loading the bases with no outs! Again, Yankees loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th inning with no outs, trailing 3-1 and failed to score! Sound familiar?
Fernando Cruz was in there too. Hopefully Oldtimer doesn’t find out about Weaver.
That’s what Chapman does. Don’t want to think about how we could have had him the last several years.
Literally the worst start
Not a good start for Greene! Need to keep it close! Only making Snell throw 7 pitches in the first inning not a good sign either!
Serving up meatballs. Already choking. This is both unsurprising and infuriating
You must be fun at parties
Especially if they are serving meatballs. 🙂
He gets infuriated if the party serves meatballs, without those little toothpicks.
Seriously? It’s the first inning.
Exactly. First batter too…
Gatekeep much, brethren?
Nice rebound Greene.
Could have been worse. 0-1 after one.
OK. That’s manageable.
20 pitch 1st inning? At that pace the ace lasts five. Hopefully he starts dealing.
I’ve waited since 2013 to see the first batter go yard. Come on! Come to play. Put your best foot forward. No hitter still in tact for snell
I’m hoping the folks that were commenting when the Reds clinched the playoffs remember the kind things they said about making the playoffs.
Hopefully the guys will purge the butterflies quickly and get even.
Lets go Reds! Beat the Dodgers!
Hunter will settle in. Time for the Reds to get some offense going.
+100
“Assume the first pitch will be in the zone and just guess” is a pretty good strategy against Greene. Snell I’m less sure.
Hunter needs to land the slider for 1st pitch strikes.
LA did it last time against him….swing 1st pitch fastballs.
Yeah this. Ideally not over the middle. Or spot a couple good ones and make the RHs chase. They know he needs to go deep into the game and they aren’t messing around.
Let’s not go with the ‘glass is already half empty’ attitude after one inning, shall we? One poster in particular.
$350 mil to $125? The glass was broken coming in. Its not fair competition
Besides that. Im talking about premature whining.
Pretty please with sugar on top
I predict KBH will get a dribbler hit to break up the Roy Halladay
This reminds me of 2010.
Well , these first two innings aren’t encouraging at all…Snell at 16 pitches through 2 ip very easy…
Trust the scouting report an swing at strikes…stop worrying about pitch counts.
Jeepers showing the Dodgers with 64 post season wins like it’s amazing. When you spend 400 million a year and sign every free agent you better win that many games. You don’t need to be a great GM when you have endless money.
+50,000
NJ, Greene.
Thank you Greene.
Offense, time to make an appearance.
Every team has Strauss on their helmets….I wonder what that cost?
Castellini can by something with the extra dough?
Nice rebound Hunter
I would’ve moved up Stephenson from 7. He carried us these last 2 weeks except Tito kept playing Trevino
Brian R … bit +100,000 to “purge their butterflies”
Just not ON the diamond, OK? 😮
I think they are past that point now, hopefully?
Bunt for a hit? try to shake things up a bit?
Snell has no hitted the Reds when he was on the Giants. Let’s get a hit boys.
Thank you Matt.
A McLain hit? It’s time to play the lottery.
Matty McDoubles!!!!
Nice hit McLain. Bring him home!
Not getting a no-no courtesy of MattyMc and an ambush 2B.
MM! We got a hit!
Like I said on the other post today, It’s a clean slate with these guys. A new season. Guys that you don’t expect to do something show up and have a great post season. I was nominating McLain. So far so good.
That’s a big hit for McLain to make Snell work a bit. His command has been really really good from the windup.
Marte is pretty anxious…swinging to everything… chasing a lot
They got the book on Marte. Bloodied Snell a bit tho. He’s not invincible.
They got the book on Marte. Bloodied Snell a bit tho. He’s not invincible.
Marte still amped up. He will still have a chance to affect the game. Good inning guys.
Our #2 hitters have to be the worst in baseball. It’s like a black hole for any Red hitting there. And I really like Marte but no one has hit in that spot.
Marte has been in a month long slump and he looks terrible.
Marte went cold at the wrong time for us. Great experience for these guys nevertheless. The league adjusted to him and now he has to adjust….constant battle
Marte needs to Keep his head on the ball and let it travel deeper.
I think I’d lean toward Benson starting RF tomorrow night in Marte’s place unless Marte turns it around this game. He hasn’t hit for awhile in the second spot.
Nice to see Reds get some baserunners there at least though.
I would have dropped Marte in the lineup today….he’s been in a deep deep slump for about 3 weeks
Hunter is having control issues. Can’t get too far behind
He’s definitely battling out there.
And then THAT happened.
Wow. For whatever reason, HG just came apart.
Ok goodnight
Ouch, that’ll leave a mark.
Greene couldn’t with this scenario… The walks haunted and now is falling apart …
Greene gave up 5 runs in 5 innings his last start in LA. Gets to amped up and ends up doing that. See you tomorrow night.
Greene – wow dude – that’s pitiful ! – get him out the game
Knew the slider was coming after the walks and WP
Horrible start by Greene, he never gave his team a chance, so sad.
We just can’t have nice things.
Smh…just smh…Greene let us down. First career defining start and he’s not living up to it.
To much me. Watch LA, “I’m going to blow you all away”(okay, I said that.). I’ll be your’s after 3more years, maybe 4.
I THINK it might be time already to replace elite defense with offense.
Man. His command just went.
Reds pulling a bengals tonight
I know we’re not supposed to Clete on the Boyz in a playoff game, but I’m afraid that’s way too deep of a hole given how Snell is pitching.
Hard lessons learned tonight. Still more baseball to play tomorrow and miracles can happen even yet tonight. But at the very least, I’m shutting down the laptop and the commenting.
Well the Dodgers can obviously hit. Every pitcher has bad starts, unfortunately Greene is getting tagged.
Quick to jump on Greene, aren’t we?
You’re surprised? I know I’m not. Same people, same negative stuff.
Good point, that’s on me. I definitely shouldn’t be surprised.
It’s an off night and he’s on the struggle bus. That’s all I’m saying. No jumping from my chair.
I didn’t see anything from you in that regard Mark
In big games, big game players step it up and sometimes the moment is too big for the player.
At least I can go to bed early
Goodnight….you won’t be missed
I will miss DK more than seeing comments like this from VARedsFan
Internet police have spoken.
That would definitely be you, VA. Lighten up, Francis.
Are they negative or prophetic? A team that had been as frustrating as the Reds have been arent going to have nothing but blindly loyal fans commenting. Not everyone remembers the good ol days, they wanna see their team compete when it matters. Show up when it matters. Complaining about negative comments is worse than the negative comments. They are therapeutic for some. But scanning the comments to respond to each negative poster is unnecessary, scroll past.
Thank you, Justin, +1000
Let people vent. Who cares?
I’ll miss you, DK.
Another that won’t be missed…absent all season, now show up to degrade the team.
Who peed in your Cheerios. Gatekeep much?
Terrible Greene , just terrible
Oh Boo…maybe a game for Brent Suter here. Greene is obviously very good overall, but not too surprised he didn’t quite come out with a good outing tonight. Dodgers are a machine, super confident. Hopefully the Reds can make something of this series whether tonight or tomorrow night.
Teoscar Hernandez is a kind hitter who Greene often dominates but Hernandez approach has been to hit the slider and Greene has struggled with the location of that pitch
I can’t imagine the pressure these guys are feeling. It’s been a ton of time since their last playoff win. Proud that they got here.
Dodgers bp stinks so there is still a chance
Stephensen getting beat up behind the plate tonight.
C’mon, you guys know this: With pitchers, in any given game, you either have it or you don’t, and there’s very little you can do to change that. Obviously, Greene didn’t have it tonight. How is that an indictment on him?
People need someone to vent at. Why not the young pitcher in his first playoff game?
You mean the PROFESSIONAL baseball player? It’s not ok to say he was awful? Will his mom get upset? Is it too much to ask for your ace to not stink?
Exactly.
Every game today, everyone’s ace pitched like an ace, except one. That’s called laying an egg.
Boo hoo.
I think he had it to start and then they scared him off the fastball, wasn’t throwing it with as much conviction. LA had a good game plan.
Jumping from “he wasn’t good tonight” to “he is bad” is pretty wild though. After that season…
Time to push across a few runs of our own.
Unfortunately we are not built to come back from this type of hole
And I can’t stand Edman. He is another Crow Armstrong
Simply have to get better bats …. This team is pitiful at the plate. Just. NOT. GOOD. ENOUGH.
It seems Reds have no business in this game really, no pitching , no hitting…
Not gonna waste high end leverage bullpen pieces now ….
Don’t blame him for that … at least until they show any thing close to getting back in this game …
The Reds can not have nice things. It never fails that they poop the bed and roll around in it every time they make the playoffs (in my lifetime).
Good job Barlow. Try to get on base, Reds.
Good inning by Barlow.
Come on guys. Stat focused. Can’t give up. Gotta start chipping away. There’s too much at stake.
STAY focused too. * 😉
Typing can be hard, we get it! It’s all good.
Melvin we can give up. No one posting comments here is playing in the game. Us giving up means nothing but good news for our mental health.
Don’t let it get ya down big guy. Look for a little levity in it all no matter what. 🙂
I’m here for that!
Barlow comes on and strikes out the side in the Dodger 4th …
Tough two nights for Cincy sports fans, with the Bengals last night, and Reds tonight. Reds getting some runs could at least give some hope going into Game 2.
Nice job Barlow! I think tomorrow night, maybe Littell just goes a few innings, then Burns, Lodolo. Sorry looking ahead already! Hope the Reds don’t just completely embarrass tonight, need some Offense.
The reds had one chance to win this game & it all revolved around Greene throwing a gem ….did not happen so here we are
Nice inning from Barlow.
It amazes me how people who follow and root for a team can hurl insults at the players they claim to support. 100% classless.
This. Completely classless.
+ multiple 1000’s
1000%
Absolutely Tom!
The problem is, you shouldn’t come to a message board on the internet looking for class.
Barlow pitched well there. I’m looking for the positives.
Great job, Barlow.
@Tom. 100% agree. Whiners whine.
Oppo approach seems out the window tonight.
McLain has the only Reds’ hit thru 5, a dbl no less… talk about ironic.
The Baseball gods are enjoying it though.
Ha ha! I didn’t have that on my bingo card
Ha! That’s true. We’ve all been clamoring for him to swing at first pitches and strikes and he did there. Something to build off of.
Does anybody think the Reds will score a run in this series = 2020 all over again.
They are not even at Punch and Judy status so far. Also, still hungover probably after congratulating themselves for backing in to the L.A> series.
I really have enjoyed Spencer Steer’s defense at first. He makes it look so easy!
Gold glove level all season. Thoroughly impressed.
Unfortunate that Greene couldn’t come through. Dodgers in LA probably not a good mix for him. Reds can’t hit Snell at all. Have they faced him since his no-no last year before this game?
Chances were slim but Reds have proved me wrong a little bit this year, so won’t count them out of the game or the series yet.
Barlow did a good job…looked nasty
Nice outing by Barlow. Strikeouts and swings and misses. Did his job.
NJ, Barlow. Keeper for next year?
I would keep him
I think he has a 6.5 mil option. To rich for Bob? I would keep him.
He’s a free agent.
I’d say no.
But he has been durable
Absolutely. Plus you figure with him pitching in both Cleveland and Cincy there’s a mutual comfortability with him and Francona.
Dodgers bullpen has been kind of a mess lately. Wonder how long Snell can go.
He’s gone over 100 pitches several time lately.
So he took Barlow out because?
Ughhhh! Another bomb. 6 to 0,
Wasn’t Barlow pitching well? Did I miss something?
Another homer for T. Hernandez … this time with Connor Phillips on the mound. 6-0
Not gonna be easy to mount a comeback …
Well at least they have a hit; won’t be a repeat of 2010. I’ve said NUMEROUS times on this forum :TRADE HUNTER—He just can’t figure it out. Shoulda started Littell tonight lol.
Trading Hunter would be foolish. This is one game. And his first playoff appearance…against the $350 million defending world series champion team. He dang near through a no hitter when they desperately needed it.
*threw
That’s horrifyingly bad advice.
Reading comments and amazing to me how some fans come here and throw out insults toward a player. So easy to sit back and be critical when you haven’t pitched in a major league game.
Can I come to your place of employment tell you how you suck? Your terrible? I mean maybe just grow up abit.
Are you new to the internet? lol People been complaining for years on it. I may not like these comments, but I certainly am not going to let it ruin my experience here.
Bingo
Sure. I do my job.
Also, I don’t remember saying he was terrible. He needs to be more consistent and start pitching effectively to be considered the Ace. He’s not. Not even close.
2.74 ERA
0.96 WHIP
What exactly are you looking for? Bob Gibson?
OK…you win.
Criticism is triggering some of these guys tonight lol. It’s reality, some of us live in it. I don’t blame the players, I blame the person who hires the players. They had a decent season and the sun will still come up tomorrow and we will all root again.
This organization hasnt earned alot of the blind loyalty that they cash in on-every year.
Exactly, Kevin!
Coming into your job to yell insults is the same thing as someone being critical on a message board? Have you heard of a google review? Kind of the same thing except it actually hurts businesses and employees who ARENT paid millions to do their job. Thick skin helps.
Why did he take Barlow out?
Phillips didn’t locate well in 0-2 against Teoscar who is inspired tonight… 4 homers by Dodgers in 5 innings…
Tuning in late. Looks like 1 guy already got to try to be cool by using the word “clete “
and the Reds are getting pounded.
I’m think the Reds score a couple this inning. It’s time to start digging out of this hole.
You must be new around here? Not cool, just a long-time RLN reader:
https://www.redlegnation.com/2021/05/05/baseball-is-life-when-to-clete-out/
That was when. This is how: https://www.redlegnation.com/2021/11/24/baseball-is-life-how-to-clete-out/
According to the broadcast, Dodger stadium is the most homer friendly ballpark over the last 3 years?? Hard to believe….
I guess when you have HR hitters, the numbers add up fast.
I was shocked to hear that. No way I would have guessed that.
Also good point. They have several power hitters and they’re awfully good at home.
Dodgers 52-29 at home, 41-40 on the road. They clearly know and like their ballpark.
But the fact that the Dodgers have home run hitters isn’t why it’s home run friendly. The second best home run friendly ballpark in that time frame is GABP and the Reds aren’t exactly a team full of home run hitters.
Not entirely sure what’s caused the Dodgers park to be so homer friendly, but it’s not because of their players because those numbers are calculated based on how their guys do on the road versus home, as well as how all of their opponents do at Dodger Stadium versus the road.
Maybe something’s going on with the weather/wind that has helped it?
El Nino??;-)
Zack Littell will pitch tomorrow…my goodness
Snell with just 70 pitches through 6.
He might be going for the CG SO.
The goal of this series for the reds should be to score A run ….one single run….may not happen….seriously…not joking
As bad as it went for Green, it probably wouldn’t matter in the big picture. Hitting has been the issue all season. And still is. We knew our only chance was if our “ace” could hold the Dodgers down to maybe 1 or 0 runs, so we’d have a chance. A near impossible task almost every night all season against just average teams. Let alone the mighty high payroll Dodgers. Too much to ask of Green and our pitching staff. Snell is an “ace” with a highly paid offense.
Perhaps the only bright spot is the FO possibly taking note of our gross, season-long deficiency?
Let’s hope so, Scott.
Greene has the 5th best era since 2024 among starters. I’ll take that all day, every day.
Snell has just been absolutely dominant tonight.
Hopefully we make some adjustments to our lineup for 2026 to get us more productive offensively. Pitching, especially starting, is there for the Reds. That’s huge. Gives us a solid foundation.
Reds are looking absolutely tiny…Totally embarrassed by Dodgers today…they seem don’t belong to the playoffs at this moment…
Well I’m watching the WNBA semis, Indy vs Vegas Game 5. Still early here on the West Coast, not even 8:00 yet.
Another horrible pitch against Ohtani , a slider in the middle
Yikes!
Ohtani has to be a cyborg. There goes another moon shot!
Man, 454 ft HR. Just smh.
Embarrassing. Everyone else fought today except the Reds. For some reason I think we would’ve played Philly pretty tough, but thats not how it panned out. HG…idk? He started panicking in Sacramento and bouncing breaking balls then got hammered. Smashed twice in LA now. I guess just keep him out of California and he’ll be alright, but I’d deal him if these trends continue next year. Cubs without Tucker aren’t that good and that actually should’ve been a no-hitter, but Homer Bailey could do that and he wasn’t an ace either.
You should pop into the Reds locker room and tell them they didn’t fight.
Why dont you pop your head in the locker room and congratulate them on tonights effort? Bullying people who you don’t agree with isn’t the way.
I told my brother yesterday that I thought the best team in the National League was the Dodgers. I have not changed my mind today. Hope the Reds can do better. I hate the Dodgers, but give them their due.
2 nights in a row we get to use the word “embarrassing “ in relation to Cincinnati sports teams
I’m “sore” …
Yep, been two rough ones in a row.
Difference though is the Reds made the playoffs.
Bengals will finish last in the AFC North. Taylor and the coaching staff should be absolutely embarrassed at the lack of game preparation the past 2 weeks.
I’m calling 50+ by Detroit on Sunday.
They aren’t picking up Snell’s thigh-high changeup away at all. Probably one of those tunneling things. Good luck laying off that if you’re thinking curveball.
This is so Unfair. This is why MLB needs a salary cap, which they will never have! So, this is why they need to divide in two leagues. High salary league/big market teams have one league. Low salary league/small market teams have another league. That is why they need to do.
Finally Suter comes in to save the day.
Phillips had a good season overall, hopefully this doesn’t hurt his confidence for 2026. He’s going to be an important pitcher out of the bullpen I think next year.
But boy, the Reds getting dominated!
He’ll probably get another chance tomorrow.
This is a mlb all star dodger team vs the AAAA/AAA reds team.
How many of these Dodgers were drafted by the Dodgers or instead “poached” from other teams
They all count the same. Let the Dodgers get all their runs out in this game.
Suter is listening to you, trying to
That may be a good strategy! lol
Well, the Reds are very likely going to lose, AND I just lost my bet on taking the U/7.5.
Not a good night at all. Time to go to bed and start fresh tomorrow.
The problem is the collective bargaining agreement. How can a team with a 80 million dollar active payroll compete with a team paying 300 million. System is unlike NFL or NBA where there is much more parity
I am inclined to agree with you, but there are anomalies. Brewers spent $2 mil more than the Reds this year, according to Sport Trac? $121m to the Reds $119m. Then there’s the Mets who spent $342m.
I’m proud of this team for fighting and making the playoffs when I had counted them out around the end of August. So as a fan this series is house money for me.
But can we at least score a run this time? The Reds have now gone 29 straight postseason innings without a run going back to 2013.
Yay! The drought stops at 29 innings!
back to back hits in the 7th puts runners on 1st and 3rd … Elly at the plate with one out.
That was a very nice hit by Steer.
Reds score one !
2 runs now!
Reds need to score at least. Working on their 30th straight scoreless inning in the postseason going back to the 8th inning of the 2013 game against Pittsburgh. Not sure what the record is but can’t imagine it’s too much more than that.
Woohoo! They break the streak at least.
Greene tonight reminded me of Greene a few years ago where super talented, but inexperienced and hittable with a straight fastball.
This game by Dodgers probably causing notice by the rest of the league that they are still the team to beat.
Reds scored! On the board!
Oh, boy. This is tough to watch. It’s been such an up and down season for the Reds. Maybe tomorrow we’ll be UP and surprise the entire world that believes the Dodgers will take the series in two.
The Reds are certainly taking a punch tonight. Hopefully, they get out all their nerves tonight and come back tomorrow loose, with nothing to lose. A three game series has to be challenging for an inexperienced team.
Good point, maybe less nervous and they play better tomorrow overall. Short series I thought could benefit the less talented team in the Reds, but then again, also it can be over before you get settled in, a bit of a catch 22.
I think in playoff baseball that the team that scores first gains a tremendous advantage because of the pressure and the amount of time there is for a player to think during a game. Scoring first allows guys to take a breath, relax and play their game. Getting scored on early exponentially increases the pressure on the trailing team. The Ohtani HR felt more than just one run because it came so early.
I coach HS ball, and in important games I will do just about anything to score first. I’ve bunted in the first inning just to put a guy in scoring position to create pressure. Big leaguers obviously handle the pressure better, but the mental aspect still plays a big part in a game. Innings fly by when you are losing, increasing the pressure. Good teams figure out a way to slow things down and make adjustments. Hopefully the Reds can regroup some tonight and be ready to get some revenge tomorrow.
Go Reds!
We got a run! Yes
Yea,it’s not like when I was a kid in the fifties. Back then the Yankees and Dodgers were in the world series every year. Oh wait,never mind.
Some solid hits this inning. Nice to see.
Two runs. Floodgates are opening.
Nice poke, Tyler Stephenson. Two runs now!
Ty Steve dbls and Elly scores from first … 8-2.
Hey Reds showing a little Offense nice to see. Maybe get Snell out and at least make the Dodgers use their bullpen a little.
Why not hit Stewart for Hayes in that spot.
Why would you not pinch hit for Hayes there…someone explain
Who suggested we wouldn’t score the entire series? Balderdash.
Maybe the bats are getting warmed up now? Could be a good sign for tomorrow and hopefully Thursday.
I don’t think so. Reds offense around 3 runs a game. What were getting from offense tonight is typical.
I’m trying to be positive because I tend to be a negative sports’ fan. Ha ha
‘If it bleeds, we can kill it”
-Schwarzenegger
Typical Reds offense, a couple late runs. Win a lot of games in the regular season like this. It is just that LA offense is good combined with Greene bad tonight.
Sal Stewart into the game at first base ! Steer to left … I like it.
So much for that tiny stretch of momentum
But at least momentum got this version of the Reds to the Playoff party in LA.
No doubt, TR.
Hopefully this is Suters last year. 87 mph four seam fast balls will not even retire high school hitters
Suter might be the nicest guy on the team … but he doesn’t need to be a part of this bullpen next year …
This is just ugly. There’s always tomorrow. Better enjoy it.
87 mph four seam fast balls will not even retire high school hitters
Moll last 8 appearances at AAA
9.2 IP
2 H
0 R
1 BB
6 K
Ohtani 1-10 off him
Freeman 0-2
The biggest goat tonight has to be Greene, just a crap performance from your so called Ace.
Can’t agree with you more. Greene is good and I love watching him pitch. But man he has had some poor performances at very inopportune times. The game out in Oakland and tonight are two recent examples not to mentioned being outdueled by Skene.
I cannot see Hayes at 3rd all season next year..he’s is way too much a big hole in the lineup…there is no way he is saving enough runs to make up for his terrible hitting….Pittsburgh found that out & found someone take him off their hands
I worry about this a little too. It doesn’t concern me the prospects they gave up or necessarily the money spent on Hayes, but they need more than 5 HRs .235AVG and .290OBP to be the full time Third Baseman for the next few years, especially if they haven’t made big upgrades in the Offense elsewhere.
Wow, the Dodgers roar back with two more in the bottom of the 7th … 10-2.
Yeah, Suter doesn’t have the power pitch, but Snell gets hitters out without throwing hard pitches; his changeup, he uses that consistently.
Barlow did the best on the mound tonight, and he throws nothing but junk. Connor throws hard too, but the Dodgers like that. Don’t try to overpower them…
It’s not about velo.
It’s about changing speeds and location
Snell can throw 96 and 80, and locate both of them.
Nice to see McLain making much better at bats tonight.
another hit anyway, give him a standing O.
I can live with McLain at 2nd next season but not Hayes at 3rd….i have at least seen Mclain hit (2 years ago)…Hayes has never been a good hitter
How did Lux do tonight? It’s said the Reds gave up a gem in Sirota for the Dodgers’ expendable utility guy. Cincy playing checkers while L.A. makes chess moves.
Noelvi Marte should have this kind of at bat more often
Let’s push some runs across Reds.
No surrender.
Stewart playoff career first RBI
Was hoping for a grand slam there, but will take the walk and a run… 10-3
Steer didn’t see a pitch under 100 mph, but singles to center, scoring one… 10-4
Nice contact Steer, another run.
Enriquez not “pitching like he has a lead”. Must be driving Roberts nuts.
Let’s at least burn some more bullpen tonight.
Steer’s playoff career first RBI
Fun, ain’t it? Just try to get within a GS and we have a game per Dusty.
Take them deep Elly De La Cruz!
Deep into the count!
Love it. Keep walking in runs.
Elly walks, another run scores, and the bases are still loaded with one out … 10-5
Stephenson chased three pitches there …
Yeah..he tried to pull the Reds within a run, swimming for thr fence the last 3 swings.
Stevo drives me absolutely nuts. Some might say “what a great AB.” I say not at all. Fouled off multiple balls completely out of the zone that would have scored a run. Then swings wildly at a ball at his ankles. WOW. No pitch recognition, like many in the lineup. Situational awareness. Oh well.
Just get to McLain. I think its his night.
Dang.
Letting Hayes hit there, again, is criminal. He had zero shot!
Stephenson battled mightily but definitely swung at ball 4 several times.
Man nice fight by the Reds, but couldn’t finish off the rally. I think I would have had Stewart pinch hit for Hayes the inning before, and then he would have been up again in Hayes spot for a 2nd at bat. Who knows if things would have played out the same though, but missed opportunity there to get back in the game with one more hit.
Stew already walked previously
They do have a questionable bullpen.
Reds couldn’t get a big hit and came short trying to cut the distance
Ty Steve swings at ball 4 and Hayes just
CANNOT HIT PERIOD ! There is no way that Hayes can play third base for the next
multiple years and hit like this . Krall was a sucker for taking on this dudes contract . Pure sucker ….
Bases loaded 1 out – Reds get no more – JUST PITIFUL
KBH. Nice guy, nice glove, but he’s really going to be persona non grata with that bat.
I can’t believe we traded for a no-hit guy with a bad back thats under contract for 4 more years. If he can’t turn it around next year then Krall needs to get the boot. This trade was insane
Hayes with a glaring 0-4 line.
There is no excuse for Hayes hitting there with the game on the line….someone wake Tito up for gods sake
Usually an adventure with Graham. He’s not disappointing on that front tonight.
Held them scoreless. Somehow. Thank you.
Nice recovery, Ashcraft. (For the most part anyway. No runs.)
He’s like a roller coaster ride. Up and down a ton and will certainly get your heart pumping.
Well, we held ’em in the 8th, just barely … still 10-5 going into the 9th.
Lux to hit for Marte with two down … and no one on.
How about posting half a dozen in the top of the ninth?
Yeah, I think when it was 8-2, you pinch hit Stewart for Hayes, maybe he hits a HR and it’s 8-4. Then an inning or two later, you have Stewart up for a 2nd time maybe with the game on the line. Try to maximize the most at bats out of your most talented Offensive players even if coming off the bench, and right now I think Stewart is one of them.
Agree. No idea why it didn’t happen.
When Treinen is pitching well he’s almost unhittable. At least the Reds made the Dodgers fight a bit. Still some hope for tomorrow’s game especially if the Offense can put up some runs like it did tonight.
Definitely nice to see the Reds score some runs and burn some Dodger bullpen arms.
Hopefully tomorrow night goes our way.
Well, we made LA use quite a bit of their bullpen. And they weren’t very good.
I enjoyed watching the game. We scored 5 runs, think about that.
and that’s all she wrote for game one … final 10-5.
The Reds did not give up, and we face a must win tomorrow.
12 whiffs this game – BRUTAL AS USUAL . This team has to be averaging close to
double digit strikes per game this year . This organization needs some bats badly !!!!!
Will someone in the postgame ask Tito why he didn’t pinch hit for Hayes?? I’m sure not