The Cincinnati Reds put together their own little Red October campaign, but their October lasted just one day. The Reds were swept by the Dodgers in Los Angeles, which sends the Hollywood Boys east to Philadelphia for the National League Division Series.

L.A. wrapped up the National League Wild Card series with an 8-4 victory at Dodger Stadium, showcasing their offensive depth and pitching dominance. Across both games, the Dodgers flexed their postseason muscle, while the Reds showed flashes of resilience but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Dodgers firepower.

Game 1 set the tone with a barrage of home runs from the Dodgers, who launched five in total en route to a 10-5 win. Teoscar Hernández and Shohei Ohtani each homered twice, with Hernández driving in four runs and Ohtani adding three RBI, including a leadoff blast off Reds starter Hunter Greene. Greene struggled early, giving up five runs on six hits in just three innings. On the other side, Blake Snell was sharp, tossing seven innings of two-run ball while striking out nine. He didn’t allow a hit until the third inning and kept the Reds off balance until the seventh, when Cincinnati finally broke through with a pair of runs.

The Reds mounted a late push in the eighth inning, scoring three runs and loading the bases with one out. Tyler Stephenson battled through an 11-pitch at-bat before striking out, and Ke’Bryan Hayes popped out to end the threat. Despite the loss, Cincinnati forced the Dodgers to use four relievers, which they hoped would pay dividends in Game 2. Matt McLain led the Reds with two hits, while Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz each drove in runs. Spencer Steer and Stephenson also contributed RBIs, but the Reds couldn’t find the big hit to swing momentum their way.

Game 2 saw the Dodgers continue their offensive onslaught, this time with a more balanced attack. Mookie Betts was electric, going 4-for-5 with three RBI and three doubles. Teoscar Hernández added two more RBI, bringing his series total to six, while Ohtani chipped in with another run driven in. Enrique Hernández and Miguel Rojas each had multi-hit games, and Ben Rortvedt added an RBI double. The Dodgers tallied 13 hits and went 6-for-18 with runners in scoring position to capitalize on scoring chances.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was brilliant on the mound for Los Angeles in Game 2, throwing 6.2 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and just four hits allowed. He kept the Reds off the board until the eighth inning, when Cincinnati finally broke through with a pair of runs. Zack Littell, Cincinnati’s trade-deadline acquisition, started Game 2 but lasted only 3.1 innings, surrendering three earned runs on six hits. The Reds bullpen struggled to contain the Dodgers, with Nick Martinez and Tony Santillan each allowing multiple runs in brief appearances.

Despite the deficit, the Reds showed fight late in the game. Stewart walked with the bases loaded to drive in a run, and Steer followed with an RBI single. De La Cruz had a chance to make it a game but couldn’t deliver the knockout blow. Stephenson added a sacrifice fly, and Stewart finished with three RBI in the game, capping a strong series for the rookie first baseman. Miguel Andujar and Noelvi Marte contributed with walks and aggressive base running, but the Reds couldn’t overcome the Dodgers’ early lead.

Defensively, the Dodgers were not flawless, committing three errors in Game 2, including misplays by Enrique Hernández, Teoscar Hernández, and Rortvedt. However, their offensive cushion allowed them to weather those mistakes. The Reds had one error, a throwing miscue by Stewart, but it didn’t significantly impact the outcome.

Across the two-game series, several Dodgers stood out. Teoscar Hernández was the clear offensive MVP, with six RBI and two home runs. Ohtani added four RBI and two homers, while Mookie Betts’ Game 2 performance was a clinic in situational hitting. Snell and Yamamoto each delivered quality starts, combining for 13.2 innings, 18 strikeouts, and just two earned runs. The bullpen was tested but held firm when needed.

Ultimately, the Dodgers’ combination of star power, depth, and pitching proved too much for Cincinnati. With the series win, Los Angeles advances to the National League Division Series, while the Reds head into the offseason with a young core that gained some playoff experience.