Things swing quickly in a best-of-three series. The Reds are already up against it, while the Dodgers are just a win away from moving on.
“Our backs have been against the wall for a couple of months now,” Reds second baseman Matt McLain said. “Just go out there, play hard, play the game the right way, the way we know how to play. We’ll be good.”
The Dodgers are hopeful that they can ride the momentum from their big night at the plate to set up a date with the Phillies in the NL Division Series, continuing their title defense.
“Offensively, we’re in a really good place right now,” Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas said. “[In Game 1], it was the offense. We know for sure it’s going to be a full effort of the whole roster right here to win this other game.”
When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch for Game 2 of the Reds-Dodgers Wild Card Series is set for 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
All series are available in the US on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider. Games also are available live internationally, although not in Canada.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Reds: Zack Littell (10-8, 3.81 ERA)
Littell got the assignment for Game 2, in part, because he will be able to work on his normal four days’ rest. Acquired before the Trade Deadline from the Rays, he was 2-0 with a 4.39 ERA in 10 starts after switching teams. Littell has five games of postseason experience, all in relief. That includes two games vs. the Dodgers while with the Giants in the 2021 NL Division Series. He threw 2 2/3 innings, with three runs and five strikeouts. Down the stretch this season, Littell often endured trouble the second or third times through a lineup and he was given an early hook. It would seem quite possible that manager Terry Francona could switch to lefty Nick Lodolo early in a sort of tandem start.
Dodgers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 ERA)
Last postseason, Yamamoto showed why the Dodgers were willing to give him a record deal for a pitcher before he had even thrown a pitch in the Majors. After giving up five runs in three innings in his postseason debut against the Padres, he rebounded by holding opponents to three runs in 15 2/3 innings during the rest of the Dodgers’ World Series run.
Yamamoto built upon his strong finish to his first year in MLB and broke out in his sophomore season, anchoring L.A.’s rotation as the only pitcher who did not miss a start due to injury. He faced the Reds earlier this year, striking out nine across seven innings of one-run ball on July 28 in Cincinnati.
What might the starting lineups look like?
Reds: With a right-hander going in Yamamoto, the Reds will likely tweak their lineup slightly to get Gavin Lux’s lefty bat in there. But after being shut down in Game 1, it’s also possible Francona might try to inject more offense by adding Sal Stewart’s bat, even if he is right-handed.
Dodgers: With the Reds deploying another right-handed starter, the Game 2 lineup shouldn’t look too different than the series opener, although Miguel Rojas could work his way into the mix as the Dodgers manage Tommy Edman’s ankle. Manager Dave Roberts did not rule out the possibility of Will Smith (hairline fracture in right hand) starting a game behind the plate, although the All-Star catcher seems more likely to remain on the bench for the time being.
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Reds: In Game 1, middle reliever Scott Barlow retired all five of his batters with four strikeouts after replacing Hunter Greene in the fourth inning. Connor Phillips was used in the loss as well and gave up homers to Teoscar Hernández in the fifth inning and to Ohtani in the sixth. Although Graham Ashcraft was used in the eighth inning, the Reds avoided using their two other back-end relievers in setup man Tony Santillan and closer Emilio Pagán — who saved 32 games in the regular season. Obviously, with it being an elimination game, all hands will be on deck to pitch whatever is necessary to avoid a quick elimination.
Dodgers: Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez, Jack Dreyer and Blake Treinen all pitched in Game 1. Roberts has yet to use Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan — who have shifted to the bullpen for this series — and could lean on them to cover bulk innings as the Dodgers try to close out the Wild Card Series.
Dodgers: Smith is playing through the injury to his right hand — and could possibly catch if needed — but he is more likely to be used primarily as a pinch-hitter this series. Edman will have to continue to manage his right ankle, which landed him on the IL twice earlier this year. Kiké Hernández exited Game 1 with back tightness, but Roberts said the utility man is expected to be in the lineup for Game 2.
Who is hot and who is not?
Reds: In Game 1, Steer continued his strong September with two hits that included an RBI single. Steer also hit four homers over the last 10 regular season games. After he struggled mightily over the final weeks of the season, McLain hit a two-out double in the third inning and a single in the eighth inning on Tuesday. On the other hand, Hayes went 0-for-4 to continue his rough stretch that ended the regular season with him going 3-for-37 (.081) over his final 14 games.
Dodgers: Teoscar Hernández, who ended the regular season on a six-game hitting streak, went 3-for-5 with a pair of homers on Tuesday night. Kiké Hernández also built some momentum toward the end of the regular season and went 2-for-3 before exiting due to his back. Muncy went hitless in Game 1 and ended the regular season hitting .118 with a .562 OPS in his final 11 games, although he was dealing with some lower body soreness that he said affected his swing at the time.
Anything else fans might want to know?
