Dodgers vs. Reds 2025 Wild Card Series: Schedule, Scores, TV

The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Cincinnati Reds in a best-of-three Wild Card Series. First pitch comes Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers enter as National League West champions. Meanwhile, the Reds clinched their postseason fate on the very last day of the regular season.

This series promises high stakes and postseason drama. The winner advances to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the Divisional Round.

Here’s a rundown of what makes this October matchup so intriguing.

Dodgers Hold the Home-Field Edge

The Dodgers finished atop the NL West, so they get that coveted home-field advantage for the whole Wild Card Series. That crowd energy — and knowing every quirk of Dodger Stadium — could really shape the outcome.

Reds Scrape Their Way into the Postseason

The Cincinnati Reds arrive as underdogs, having clinched their spot in dramatic fashion on the season’s final day. It’s been a while for them; their last playoff series win came in 1995.

They haven’t reached October in a full season since 2013. That’s a long stretch for any franchise.

Series Schedule and Broadcast Information

Prime-time baseball under the lights in Los Angeles sounds about right. Every game starts at 9:08 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN.

Full Game Schedule

• Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 30 – 9:08 p.m. ET
• Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 1 – 9:08 p.m. ET
• Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday, Oct. 2 – 9:08 p.m. ET

Head-to-Head Performance in 2024

Regular season history doesn’t favor Cincinnati at all. The Reds snagged just one win in six games against Los Angeles.

They got outscored by 15 runs in those matchups. If the Reds want to move on, they’ll have to flip that script in a hurry.

Why the Reds Still Have Hope

Even with that lopsided record, the postseason’s a different animal. Cincinnati knows they’ve got nothing to lose here.

If they can steal Game 1, suddenly all the pressure lands squarely on the Dodgers.

Dodgers Enter at Full Strength — Almost

For the first time all year, the Dodgers look nearly healthy, and their rotation is downright scary. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, and Tyler Glasnow could give any lineup nightmares.

Kershaw’s Final Farewell

One big absence: veteran ace Clayton Kershaw. He’s confirmed he’ll retire after this postseason run.

Kershaw pitched on the last day of the regular season, but he won’t be on the Wild Card roster. His presence will be missed in the clubhouse, though the Dodgers still have plenty of pitching depth.

Key Injury Update

Catcher Will Smith is still sidelined with a hairline fracture in his hand. That costs the Dodgers their usual presence behind the plate — at least for now.

The team hopes Smith could return if they make a deeper run, maybe giving them a boost on both sides of the ball.

Impact on the Dodgers’ Lineup

Without Smith, the Dodgers have to lean on their depth at catcher and tweak the lineup. It could really influence Dave Roberts’ strategy, especially in tight games where pitch framing and throwing out runners matter a ton.

Final Thoughts: A Clash of Urgency vs. Experience

This Wild Card Series sets up a weirdly compelling contrast. The Dodgers, who know their way around October, face a Reds team that’s just happy to be here after a long wait.

Elite pitching will take center stage. There’s history, too—old postseason ghosts, fresh faces, and that classic baseball unpredictability where anything can happen.

Fans should buckle up for drama from the first pitch. Every inning is going to matter, probably more than anyone wants to admit.

The Dodgers want to give Kershaw another deep run. The Reds, meanwhile, would love nothing more than to finally shake off almost thirty years of October frustration.

 
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