Dodgers Officially Reveal Game 1 Starter for Wild Card Series vs. Reds

4Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez

Snell, who will take the mound on five days’ rest, is slated to make his Dodgers postseason debut in the series opener on Tuesday. The 30-year-old left-hander brings a wealth of playoff experience, marking his 13th career postseason appearance and 12th start. Snell has previously opened Game 1 in three different postseason campaigns for the Tampa Bay Rays, including the 2020 Wild Card, Division, and Championship Series, which culminated in a World Series matchup against the Dodgers.

As the Dodgers celebrated the NL West title, Snell emphasized the need to remain focused on the postseason. “Enjoying the moment, but we’re focused on the World Series,” Snell said, echoing the mindset he displayed during his introductory press conference after signing a five-year, $182 million contract with Los Angeles.

Strategic Options for Game 2

With Snell locked in for Game 1, the Dodgers have a wealth of pitching options for Game 2 on Wednesday, including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. If Yamamoto starts, he would pitch on five days’ rest; an Ohtani start would come six days after his last outing. Manager Dave Roberts noted that this depth has turned a typically straightforward rotation decision into a luxury.

“It’s a good bet Blake Snell will start for us Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds,” Roberts said, adding that the organization is keeping options open for Ohtani, whose dual-role pitching and hitting schedule requires careful management.

Balancing Rest and Performance

LA has deliberately structured Ohtani’s final regular-season starts to preserve his pitching and hitting effectiveness. “More rest has been good for him,” Roberts said. “He’s responded to that. That’s certainly baked in. But, yeah, the thought is he’s going to start one of these potential three games.” The team is preparing to potentially deploy Ohtani in Game 3, which would also ensure he has sufficient rest ahead of the National League Division Series.

The Dodgers’ depth at starting pitching offers flexibility and strategic advantage as they enter the postseason. Snell’s Game 1 start sets the tone for a carefully managed rotation designed to maximize the team’s chances against the Reds while preserving their arms for the deeper rounds of October baseball.