After a somewhat disappointing regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers quickly reminded everyone who they are by hammering the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of their Wild Card matchup.
Tonight, they turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto with hopes of advancing to the NLDS for a remarkable 13th consecutive season.
My Reds vs. Dodgers predictions expect Yoshinobu Yamamoto to pick up where he left off, delivering another big postseason performance at Dodger Stadium.
Read more in my MLB picks for Wednesday, October 1, with first pitch set for 9:08 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Reds vs Dodgers Game 2 predictions
Who will win Reds vs Dodgers Game 2?
The Dodgers will win. The Reds put their best foot forward in Game 1 with Hunter Greene on the mound, and they obliterated him.
Maybe we forgot just how stacked the Dodgers are since they didn't earn a bye this year. Well, they made us remember quickly, and now they hand the ball to Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
It's a tough spot for the Reds.
Reds vs Dodgers best bet
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Over 17.5 outs (-115)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a bit of a tough transition to the Big Leagues last season. Then injuries didn’t help him out, but Yamamoto returned for the postseason and played a big role for the Dodgers coming out of the pen, helping them win the World Series last year.
This October, his impact will be felt as a starter. Yamamoto finished the season ranked in the 89th percentile or better in expected ERA, expected opponent batting average, and strikeout rate. He's also in a groove heading into the postseason.
The right-hander has allowed just three earned runs on 11 hits while striking out 44 batters during 34 innings of work over his final five starts of the regular season. He was also a workhorse down the stretch. Yamamoto averaged 99.7 pitches over his last seven starts, recording 18+ outs six times.
Tonight, he faces a Cincinnati Reds lineup that had the sixth-highest strikeout rate and ranked 23rd in wRC+ when facing right-handed pitching this season.
Yamamoto’s outs recorded prop is sitting at 17.5, and after watching Blake Snell mow down this lineup last night, I’m jumping on the Over.
Reds vs Dodgers Game 2 same-game parlay (SGP)
Snell racked up the Ks last night, punching out nine batters over seven stellar innings of work, and I expect Yamamoto to do the same. He’s struck out 7+ batters in each of his last five starts and in eight of his last 12 overall.
What more can you say about Shohei Ohtani? Two more bombs last night. He’s never faced Littell before, but the Reds right-hander ranks in the 27th percentile in xERA and the 22nd in xBA. Two more hits look like another day at the office for Ohtani.
And more to the point, the Dodgers’ huge edge in overall talent in this matchup is quickly being realized. There are just too many big bats and strong arms for the Reds to keep up. The Dodgers win by multiple runs on the way to their 13th consecutive NLDS.
Reds vs Dodgers SGP
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto Over 6.5 strikeouts
- Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 hits
- Dodgers -1.5
Reds vs Dodgers home run pick for Game 2
Freddie Freeman (+400)
I like the value with Freddie Freeman tonight.
You know he steps up in big spots, hitting home runs in four straight World Series games last October, and has a .504 xSLG when facing Littell in the past.
Reds vs Dodgers Game 2 odds
- Moneyline: Cincinnati +228 | Los Angeles -228
- Run line: Cincinnati +1.5 (+115) | Los Angeles -1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under: Over 8.0 | Under 8.0
Reds vs Dodgers trend
Los Angeles is 6-1 against the Reds this season, covering the run line in five of those six wins. Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Reds vs Dodgers and Game 2 info
| Location | Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Wednesday, October 1, 2025 |
| First pitch | 9:08 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Reds starting pitcher | Zack Littell (10-8, 3.81 ERA) |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 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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