Low-scoring vibes are everywhere for this wild card matchup. For the Reds' sake, it looks like they might have a chance in one of those...especially with Hunter Greene on the mound, as tonight in Game One at the Ravine. Greene has been sensational for much of September, allowing no more than 2 runs in four of his five starts, and never better than the recent complete-game, 1-hitter, 1-0 win vs. the Cubs at Great American Ballpark on September 18. Cincy needs Greene at the top of his game as the impatient Reds offense can't be counted upon to do much vs. the Dodgers' dominant rotation, tonight featuring Blake Snell (12-1, 2.54 ERA at the Ravine this season). Play Reds-Dodgers Under.

I'm going to play Game 1 between the Reds and Dodgers under the total, and everything is pending on Hunter Greene pitching well. The Reds have won six of his last nine starts, and in his last start against Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh, he allowed two runs over six innings. When he stays focused, he’s really good, and when his confidence is at peak level, he can get anybody out at any time, and no one can touch him. His problem is that he has mental lapses, and in two of his last six starts, he's allowed five runs in Reds losses, one of them to the A's, and the other one to the Dodgers, 7-0. I like the under in Game 1.

If we push, we push. I do really like Cincy's Hunter Greene, but he might be too amped up in his playoff debut and as a Los Angeles native. Greene was nearly unhittable this year in Cincinnati but 2-3 with a 4.81 ERA away. In five career starts against the Dodgers, Greene is 1-3 with a 4.55 ERA. Will the Dodgers finally be able to flip the switch? The last time pitcher Blake Snell faced the Reds, he pitched for the Giants and tossed a no-hitter at Great American Ball Park on Aug. 2, 2024. Snell has plenty of playoff experience.