The 2025 MLB postseason is officially underway, and all eyes are on Dodger Stadium tonight as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series. The stakes are sky-high, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:08 p.m. ET and the action broadcast live on ESPN. While the stars—Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Elly De La Cruz—grab the headlines, it’s the X factors, those unsung heroes, who often tip the scales in October baseball. Who might rise from the shadows this year?
The Dodgers enter the postseason as clear favorites, boasting a -204 moneyline and a 67.1% implied probability of victory. Their regular-season dominance is well documented: 82 wins as favorites out of 142 games, and a sterling 33-15 record when favored by -204 or more. Their recent form is equally impressive, going 8-2 in their last ten games, averaging 4.7 runs per game, and posting a stingy 2.57 ERA with 12 strikeouts per nine innings. The Reds, on the other hand, are determined underdogs at +169, having won 43 of 86 games as underdogs this season, but they’ve yet to win when listed as such steep outsiders.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. History has shown that October is where legends are made—and not always from the expected names. Just last year, Tommy Edman, after a season plagued by injuries, exploded in the NL Championship Series for the Dodgers with a .407/.393/.630 slash line and 11 RBIs, earning MVP honors against the Mets. Jeremy Peña, Eddie Rosario, and Howie Kendrick are other recent examples of postseason X factors who seized the moment when it mattered most.
For the Dodgers, Andy Pages is a name worth watching. The rookie center fielder has quietly become a key contributor, especially against left-handed pitching, where he’s slashed .272/.313/.461. But don’t sleep on his power—24 of his 27 home runs this season have come against righties. Pages tends to bat in the lower third of the lineup, the classic spot for a surprise hero. As the team’s primary center fielder, his defense and timely hitting could prove pivotal if the Dodgers hope to advance. And if catcher Will Smith remains sidelined with a hairline fracture in his hand, backup Ben Rortvedt could suddenly find himself thrust into the spotlight.
Of course, the Dodgers’ star power is undeniable. Shohei Ohtani leads the team and ranks third in the league with 55 home runs and 102 RBIs. Mookie Betts, batting .258 with 23 doubles and 20 homers, remains a threat every time he steps to the plate, while Freddie Freeman’s .295 average and recent seven-game hitting streak have kept the offense humming. In his last ten games, Freeman is hitting .314 with four home runs and eight RBIs—talk about heating up at the right time!
On the mound, the Dodgers’ bullpen has been rock solid, anchored by Orion Kerkering, who’s posted a 3.30 ERA with a 24.4% strikeout rate and picked up his first four MLB saves this season. Kerkering’s role is even more crucial with lefty José Alvarado serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Having pitched in all four Phillies NL Division Series games last year and seven of 13 playoff games in 2023, Kerkering is no stranger to postseason pressure.
The Reds, meanwhile, are not to be underestimated. Their recent 7-3 run, 2.27 ERA, and 14 home runs in the last ten games underscore their ability to punch above their weight. Elly De La Cruz, the team’s leader in home runs (22) and RBIs (86), enters the game riding a three-game hitting streak. While his recent batting average has dipped to .190 over the last five games, his knack for clutch hits can’t be overlooked. TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer add further depth to a lineup that’s shown resilience all season.
Perhaps the most intriguing X factor for Cincinnati is rookie first baseman Sal Stewart. Called up in September, Stewart has already made waves with a .255/.293/.545 slash line, five home runs, and eight RBIs in just 18 games. His energy and confidence have been infectious, and as the Reds’ No. 4 prospect, he’s poised to be a thorn in the side of opposing pitchers for years to come. If Stewart can deliver in the postseason spotlight, he might just join the ranks of unexpected October heroes.
Beyond the Wild Card showdown, other postseason teams are searching for their own X factors. The Milwaukee Brewers’ Caleb Durbin has emerged as a steady presence at third base, finishing his rookie season with a .256/.334/.387 line, 11 homers, 18 steals, and just six errors—a testament to his reliability. For the Phillies, Orion Kerkering’s late-inning dominance will be crucial, especially with bullpen depth tested by suspensions.
Over in the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays are hoping center fielder Daulton Varsho can finally translate his Gold Glove defense and 20-homer power into postseason stardom, despite a .238 average. The Seattle Mariners’ Jorge Polanco, a 26-homer designated hitter, is another player who could fly under the radar until it’s too late for the opposition. And don’t forget the Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias, whose defense at shortstop has been a bright spot during an otherwise tough offensive season.
For the Yankees, Anthony Volpe will try to shake off a disappointing, injury-riddled year (.212/.272/.391, 19 HRs) and make the most of his postseason reset. The Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela, despite mixed reviews from fans, remains a defensive anchor in center field and could spark a playoff run if his offense clicks. Meanwhile, Detroit’s Javier Báez has embraced a utility role, playing both shortstop and center field, and his All-Star first half (.275/.310/.442, 10 HRs) hints at the kind of magic he’s capable of when the stakes are highest.
As the Dodgers and Reds prepare to square off tonight, the betting lines favor Los Angeles, with predictions leaning toward a tight 4-3 Dodgers win and a total under seven runs. But if history teaches us anything, it’s that October baseball is never predictable. Will Andy Pages or Sal Stewart become the next postseason sensation? Or will the established stars steal the show once again?
One thing’s for sure: the opening act of this year’s NL Wild Card Series is packed with intrigue, and as the lights shine on Dodger Stadium, fans everywhere are bracing for the unexpected. The journey to the World Series begins tonight, and every pitch could launch a new October legend.
