Gavin Lux has the opportunity to do the funniest thing possible against Dodgers

Exactly one year ago, Gavin Lux and the Los Angeles Dodgers were embarking on a World Series run. Now, if the Dodgers want to defend their title, they'll have to go through Lux to do it.

Admittedly, the Dodgers probably never expected to see Lux in October when they traded him to the rebuilding Cincinnati Reds last offseason. But the opportunistic Reds took advantage of the New York Mets' collapse and scrapped their way into the National League Wild Card picture, where they will have an opportunity to take down the defending champions — and Lux is a big part of the reason why.

Lux is no stranger to the postseason. He's made the playoffs in each of the seven years he's been in the Majors, the first six of which came with the Dodgers. He may have been expendable in the Dodgers' lineup full of superstars, but his steady bat has been indispensable to the Reds.

Gavin Lux has opportunity to use his playoff experience with Dodgers to help Reds take them down

As recently as Sept. 16, the Reds were a game under .500. They went on to win eight of their last 11 games to secure a date with Lux's old friends in Los Angeles.

Lux enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career at the plate with Cincinnati in 2025, hitting .269/.350/.374 five home runs and career highs in RBI (53) and walks (56). After spending nearly the entire 2024 season as the Dodgers' starting second baseman, he shifted into more of a utility role for the Reds, spending time at second, third, left field and DH.

The Dodgers discarded him, believing they had superior options. Funny enough, they spent $17 million on Michael Conforto to fill one of their left-handed outfield voids, and he was so bad that he was left off the Wild Card roster. Lux could've been a more cost-effective option to absorb that role more effectively. The excess money could've been spent on additional pitching, which the Dodgers desperately need right now.

On a Cincinnati roster that has the least amount of playoff experience among the 12-team field, Lux is a seasoned veteran with 30 postseason games under his belt – all with the Dodgers. The Dodgers taught him everything he knows about playing in October, and now he is prepared to use it against them.