Hunter Greene Leads Reds Game 1 Wild Card Against Dodgers

Hunter Greene, the Cincinnati Reds' ace right-hander, is set to make his MLB postseason debut as the Game 1 starter against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium. This marks a full-circle moment for Greene, a Los Angeles native, who reflected on the support of his family, especially his father, who has coached him from the beginning. Despite the Reds entering the playoffs with one of the weakest statistical profiles among postseason teams and carrying injuries that strain their pitching depth, Greene boasts a strong 2.76 ERA and 132 strikeouts this season, positioning him as their best chance to win. The Dodgers, reigning World Series champions with a star-studded lineup including Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani, are favored to win, highlighting the challenge ahead for Greene and Cincinnati. Greene has overcome a mid-season groin injury and returned to form, posting a 2.81 ERA and a 3-1 record in his last eight starts, reaffirming his status as the Reds' ace despite some local criticism. His upcoming playoff start represents the first Game 1 pitcher for the Reds in an uninterrupted season since 2013 and offers an opportunity to silence doubters while leading a team that hasn't made the postseason in a full season since 2013.