Dodgers Secure Their Spot in the Divisional Series with Wild Card Dominance
The [Los Angeles Dodgers](/mlb/team/_/name/lad/los-angeles-dodgers) demonstrated their prowess in the wild card series, defeating the [Cincinnati Reds](/mlb/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-reds) with a score of 8-4 on Wednesday night, securing their place in the National League Division Series. The Dodgers’ pitching rotation, led by Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was key to the team’s success. Snell and Yamamoto allowed only two earned runs in 13.2 combined innings. The offense also shined, with ten batters accumulating 26 hits, driven by figures like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernandez. Roki Sasaki, the young Japanese pitcher, stood out from the bullpen, using his velocity and splitter to dominate the Reds’ hitters in the ninth inning.“That guy is disgusting,” commented Tanner Scott, Dodgers reliever.
Tanner Scott
The Dodgers, who played in the wild card series for the first time, advance to the Divisional Series for the thirteenth consecutive year, matching the New York Yankees’ streak from 1995-2007. Now, the Dodgers will face the Philadelphia Phillies, who beat them in two of three games at Dodger Stadium in September. Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher in the first game, on Saturday.“Wow, all I can say is wow,” added Max Muncy, third baseman.
Max Muncy
In the game, Yamamoto proved his worth, pitching until the seventh inning without allowing any earned runs. Despite the Reds taking an early 2-0 lead, Yamamoto recovered, retiring 13 consecutive batters and escaping a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning. The Dodgers’ offense responded with four runs after Yamamoto saved the bases loaded, connecting four straight hits. However, the Dodgers’ bullpen suffered in the final innings. Manager Dave Roberts sent Emmet Sheehan to the mound, but after allowing the first four batters to reach base, he replaced him with Alex Vesia, who managed to get out of the jam. In the following inning, Sasaki closed the game with three quick outs, which could change the dynamics of the pitching staff. Roberts trusts his team and their possibilities in the playoffs.“I know Shohei will enjoy being in that environment and pitching in Game 1,” said Andrew Friedman, Dodgers’ president of baseball operations. “I think we have a really talented rotation. I think it’s going to be a strength for us if we advance.”
Andrew Friedman
“I think we can win it all,” Roberts said when asked how far he thinks his team can go. “I think we’re equipped to do it. We certainly have the pedigree. We certainly have the hunger. We’re playing great baseball. And, honestly, I don’t care who we have to face. I just want to be the last team standing.”
Dave Roberts
