The Reds’ winter plan hinges on reshaping a deep pitching slate and deciding which pending contracts to prioritize. Martinez can start or relieve, Miley seems headed out, Pagan’s 32-saves season makes him appealing but pricey, and Littell, Andujar, Hays, Suter, and Barlow all face decisions that will reshape Cincinnati’s 2026 bullpen and lineup. Budget, health, and fit will drive Cincinnati’s moves as they balance immediate needs with long-term flexibility.

Dodgers swept Cincinnati, with Yamamoto shinning in Game 2 and Nick Martinez stepping in after Lodolo’s 14-pitch outing. Abbott would have started Game 3 if the Reds had forced one, but Cincinnati couldn’t capitalize with the bases loaded in the sixth. The Reds’ postseason record since 1995 sits at 2-15 in this matchup, underscoring the pressure on next-year projections. For fantasy managers, the tiny workload of Lodolo and the planned depth for Abbott in a short series raise questions about starter stamina, bullpen leverage, and where to target upside in potential rematches.

The takeaway for fantasy: short-series dynamics favor efficient starters and late-inning bullpen bets. Dodgers’ depth and Yamamoto’s efficiency boost their playoff ceiling, while Reds’ lack of a long leash for Lodolo or Abbott creates volatility around Reds’ rotation bets in future postseason runs.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto navigated a tense seventh inning and a late Reds rally to lift the Dodgers past Cincinnati 8-4, sending Los Angeles to the NLDS against Philadelphia. A four-run sixth, fueled by Mookie Betts’ four-hit night (including three doubles) and Teoscar Hernández’s two-run double, broke the game open. Ohtani’s RBI single started the tally, snapping a skid against Nick Martinez, and Betts’ ensuing hit pushed the lead further.

Timely two-out hits, plus a crucial plate-tag by Ben Rortvedt on Friedl and a 101 mph finish from rookie Roki Sasaki, sealed the win. The Reds briefly led 2-0 before Yamamoto silenced the rally and exited to a standing ovation after 113 pitches. The Dodgers will visit Philadelphia on Saturday for NLDS Game 1.