Day 1 of the MLB postseason has featured some outstanding pitching matchups, and it feels like they saved the best for last tonight.
Buckle up on the West Coast, as Hunter Greene and the upstart Cincinnati Reds are set to face Blake Snell and the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
It’s no surprise that my Reds vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks are focused on dominant pitching. Check out my full breakdown for Game 1 of this NL Wild Card series.
First pitch is set for 9:08 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine, with the game airing on ESPN.
Reds vs Dodgers Game 1 predictions
Who will win Reds vs Dodgers Game 1?
I think there's some value in the Reds as +170 moneyline dogs.
Greene has been that good this season and has some great numbers against key Dodgers hitters, but Blake Snell is built for these moments and is peaking at the right time.
Mix in the edge in lineups, and the Dodgers should take Game 1.
Reds vs Dodgers best bet
Blake Snell Over 6.5 strikeouts (-114)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell spent nearly four months on the injured list with shoulder inflammation in his throwing shoulder, but he's looked mostly great since his return.
Snell enters the postseason with a 3.20 expected ERA, which ranks in the Top 20% among MLB pitchers. He also ranks in the Top 5 percent in average exit velocity, chase rate, and whiff rate. And his strikeout rate of 28.3% is in the 85th percentile.
On top of all that, it appears he is peaking at the right time. Snell has surrendered just one run on nine hits while striking out 28 batters in 19 innings pitched over his last three starts.
He’ll now face a Cincinnati Reds team that has the 11th-highest strikeout rate and the seventh-lowest OPS vs. left-handed pitching since the All-Star break.
Now, Snell hasn’t faced Cincinnati in his shortened 2025 season, but he did face them last season. All he did there was record a complete-game shutout where he struck out 11.
Snell is built for these moments, and while the Dodgers are going for back-to-back World Series title, Snell is motivated to get his first. He starts that quest off strong by punching out a bunch of Reds batters.
Reds vs Dodgers Game 1 same-game parlay (SGP)
Snell won’t be the only pitcher racking up the strikeouts in this matchup. Hunter Greene had himself a career year, pitching to a 3.08 xERA and ranking in the Top 10% in strikeout rate. He also has some impressive numbers against some key Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani.
One guy he should dominate is Teoscar Hernandez. The Dodgers slugger had a tough second half and is just 1-for-9 in his career against Greene with three strikeouts, good for a .081 xBA. He’s also a prime candidate for a defensive sub late in a baseball game. A 0-fer night is definitely on the table.
And let’s add Spencer Steer to the “It could be a long night” list of guys. He hit just .229 vs. lefties this season and is 1-for-6 in his career vs. Snell with four strikeouts. Expect a zero in the hit column for him as well.
Reds vs Dodgers 4-leg SGP
- Blake Snell Over 6.5 strikeouts
- Hunter Greene Over 5.5 strikeouts
- Teoscar Hernandez Under 0.5 hits
- Spencer Steer Under 0.5 hits
Reds vs Dodgers home run pick for Game 1
There's nothing like postseason Freddie Freeman. He hit four bombs in the World Series last season and finished the regular season strong, hitting six home runs with a .930 OPS over his last 21 games.
Freeman is also one of the few Dodgers to take Greene deep in the past.
Reds vs Dodgers Game 1 odds
- Moneyline: Cincinnati +170 | Los Angeles -205
- Run line: Cincinnati +1.5 (-130) | Los Angeles -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under: Over 7 (-110) | Under 7 (-110)
Reds vs Dodgers trend
Los Angeles has covered the run line in 14 of its last 20 games (+9.80 Units / 39% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Reds vs Dodgers and Game 1 info
| Location | Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Tuesday, September 30, 2025 |
| First pitch | 9:08 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Reds starting pitcher | Hunter Greene (7-4, 2.76 ERA) |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Blake Snell (5-4, 2.35 ERA) |
Reds vs Dodgers latest injuries
Reds vs Dodgers weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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