The Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers are facing off in the MLB postseason for only the second time in history, with a three-game Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium.
The previous time the Dodgers and Reds met in October saw the Big Red Machine sweep L.A. in three games during the 1995 National League Division Series, outscoring them 22-7.
But the Dodgers have had the upper hand in 2025, winning five of six head-to-head meetings and outscoring the Reds, 30-15. Still, as October has shown so often, the regular season doesn’t matter once the playoffs begin.
The Dodgers are expected to start Blake Snell in Game 1, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto taking the ball in Game 2. If the Wild Card Series goes to Game 3, the belief is Shohei Ohtani will be on the mound.
The Dodgers clinched home-field advantage in the Wild Card by way of winning the NL West division, but they finished behind the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies in the standings, which caused them to miss out on a first-round bye.
The Dodgers begin the Wild Card Series on Sept. 30 at 6:08 p.m. PT and play the following day, Oct. 1, at the same time. A potential Game 3 will either be held at 6:08 as well or be moved up to 4:38 p.m. if it is the only Wild Card Game or among just two contests on Thursday.
The 2025 MLB postseason schedule has four Wild Card Series games each day from Tuesday through Thursday under a best-of-three format, all available on ESPN’s family of networks.
The Wild Card Series additionally will be available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App.
ESPN Radio will also provide live national coverage of all postseason games, beginning with the Wild Card Series. In addition, MLB Network will have extensive studio coverage of the Wild Card Series.
Times for a potential Game 3 in each series are dependent on the rest of the matchups.
Reds vs. Dodgers Wild Card start times & schedule
Tuesday, Sept. 30: Game 1, 6:08 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, ESPN
Wednesday, Oct. 1: Game 2, 6:08 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, ESPN
Thursday, Oct. 2: Game 3*, 6:08 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, ESPN
*if necessary
Potential Reds vs. Dodgers time change for Game 3
In the event the Reds and Dodgers play Game 3, but two of the four Wild Card Series end in a sweep, then first pitch at Dodger Stadium would be moved up to 4:38 p.m. PT on Thursday.
If three of the four series end in two games, but the Dodgers go to Game 3, they would also play at 4:38 p.m. PT on ESPN.
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