Dodgers Look to Sweep Reds After Taking Series Opener 6-3

The Dodgers took care of business last night, handling the Reds 6-3 in the series opener, and now they're hunting the sweep as Cincinnati rolls back into Chavez Ravine for game two. Los Angeles did what championship-caliber clubs do—controlled the game from the middle innings on and never let the Reds sniff a comeback. That's the kind of execution that separates contenders from pretenders in September.

Cincinnati's got problems. They just watched the Dodgers' lineup work their pitching staff for six runs, and unless they've got a rabbit to pull out of their hat tonight, this could get ugly in a hurry. The Reds are fighting uphill in hostile territory against a team that's locked in and smelling October baseball.

The Dodgers are rolling with momentum and home-field advantage, which is a lethal combination this time of year. Their bats are finding gaps, their pitching staff is executing, and they've got every reason to step on Cincinnati's throat before this series shifts. The Reds need to show some fight, but based on last night's evidence, LA's simply operating on another level right now. Expect the Dodgers to keep the pressure on and make this a quick, painful two-game set for the visitors.