If the Cincinnati Reds make a run now that they're in the playoffs, keep an eye on Jordyn Pagán and the "can't-be-killed" cockroaches from Cincy.

The Dodgers pursuit of back-to-back World Series titles starts Tuesday at Chavez Ravine when they open their Wild Card series against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cincinnati Reds defied the odds to make it into the playoffs, beating out the New York Mets, who collapsed down the stretch. The Reds secured their first trip to the postseason since 2020. Before that, the Reds last made the playoffs in a full season in 2013.

The Cincinnati Reds needed 2 1-0 wins, a season-saving catch and a first series win over Milwaukee in 3 years – in the last 10 games to reach October.

The Reds clinched the NL final playoff berth after a dramatic late surge, outlasting the Mets on a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Cincinnati Reds first-season manager Terry Francona took the teams to the MLB playoffs for the first time in five years.

By WAR, the Reds have the second-best rotation in baseball behind Philadelphia, and their bullpen is middle of the pack. Hunter Greene is a bona fide ace and lefties Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo are more than qualified No. 2 and 3 starters. If the Reds scratch out enough runs and get solid bullpen work, they're a dangerous team.