In a display of raw power that set the tone for the postseason, Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández each launched two home runs, propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to a convincing 10-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers, seeded as the top wild card, wasted no time asserting dominance, with Ohtani cracking a leadoff homer in the first inning to ignite the crowd. Indeed, it was that kind of night—explosive, unrelenting, and a reminder of why this team entered the playoffs as heavy favorites.
Hernández followed suit, belting his first homer in the second inning off Reds starter Hunter Greene, who couldn't find his rhythm early. By the third, Ohtani had gone deep again, a towering shot to left-center that pushed the lead to 4-0. The Dodgers' offense didn't let up; they added four more runs later, including Hernández's second blast in the sixth. Five homers in total from the Dodgers' star duo overwhelmed Cincinnati's pitching staff, which managed to scratch across five runs but never truly threatened after the early deficit. Blake Snell, making his Dodgers postseason debut on the mound, struck out nine over seven innings, providing the stability needed despite a shaky bullpen that allowed a late rally.
However, the win wasn't without its wrinkles. The Dodgers' relief corps, a point of concern throughout the regular season, gave up three runs in the eighth, including a two-run homer by Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson. It highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities—something manager Dave Roberts will need to address quickly with Game 2 looming Wednesday evening. Ohtani finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, while Hernández went 2-for-4 with three driven in, their combined efforts underscoring the lethal top of the lineup.
Moreover, this performance comes at a pivotal moment, as the Dodgers eye a deeper run after last year's early exit. The series now shifts to a must-win for Cincinnati, but with Ohtani and Hernández swinging hot bats, the path seems clear for Los Angeles. One can't help but wonder how far this firepower will carry them in the unpredictable dance of October baseball.