The Cincinnati Reds are back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season and now have the tough task of facing the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium.
It represents the second matchup between the teams in MLB postseason history, with the only previous meeting coming in the 1995 NL Division Series.
The Reds’ 26-man postseason roster against the Dodgers in the Wild Card Series consists of 12 pitchers and 14 position players, including Gavin Lux, who gets another opportunity to face his former team.
Lux, who won two World Series championships with the Dodgers, hit .269/.350/.374 with 28 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 53 RBI in 140 games for the Reds this season. He went 3-for-17 with two doubles, one RBI and four walks in six games against L.A.
Despite only winning 83 games this season and sneaking into the playoffs as the third NL Wild Card on the final day, Lux believes the Reds can produce a similar run as the 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks, who made it all the way to the World Series.
“I was hurt that whole year. But just seeing it, I think we were kind of playing do-or-die, survival games pretty much every game leading up, like you said, into the last game of the year,” Lux began.
“So we were kind of already in playoff mode the last two, three weeks where every game we felt like we needed to win. It’s whoever gets hot, and the playoffs are a crapshoot. So I think you just never know. Anyone can beat anyone on any given night.
“And, like I said, we’ve been playing do-or-die baseball now for what feels like the last month or two. I think we can use that to our advantage.”
The Reds carrying 12 pitchers on their Wild Card roster includes Hunter Greene and Zack Littell lined up to start the first two games. Manager Terry Francona revealed Andrew Abbott would start a potential winner-take-all Game 3. Nick Lodolo is going to pitch out of the bullpen.
The Reds notably left Brady Singer off their postseason roster against the Dodgers due to starting against the Milwaukee Brewers on the final day of the regular season.
2025 Reds Wild Card Series roster
Catchers (2):
Tyler Stephenson
Jose Trevino
Infielders (5):
Elly De La Cruz
Ke’Bryan Hayes
Matt McLain
Spencer Steer
Sal Stewart
Outfielders (5):
Will Benson
TJ Friedl
Austin Hays
Gavin Lux
Noelvi Marte
Infielders/outfielders (2):
Miguel Andujar
Santiago Espinal
Starting pitchers (3):
Andrew Abbott
Hunter Greene
Zack Littell
Relief pitchers (9):
Graham Ashcraft
Scott Barlow
Chase Burns
Nick Lodolo
Nick Martinez
Emilio Pagán
Connor Phillips
Tony Santillan
Brent Suter
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