The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their playoff run with a resounding 10-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández stole the show, each smashing two home runs that powered the Dodgers' offense through a tense matchup. It was exactly the kind of explosive start fans had hoped for from these two stars, though the bullpen's familiar wobbles kept things from feeling entirely secure.
Ohtani wasted no time, leading off the bottom of the first with a towering solo shot to left field—his first postseason homer since last year's dramatic tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks. Indeed, that early blast set the tone, but Hernández matched him blow for blow. His first homer came in the third, a two-run shot that chased Reds starter Hunter Greene after just 2 1/3 innings. Then, in the fifth, Hernández went deep again, this one a solo effort that extended the lead to 7-3. Ohtani added his second in the sixth, a three-run bomb off reliever Fernando Cruz that seemed to seal the deal at 10-3. However, the Dodgers' relievers—Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia among them—allowed the Reds to claw back two runs late, exposing those ongoing vulnerabilities that have plagued the team all season.
Blake Snell delivered a strong outing on the mound for Los Angeles, striking out nine over seven innings while surrendering just three runs. The left-hander, acquired at the trade deadline, looked every bit the ace the Dodgers needed to navigate this short series. Meanwhile, the Reds' offense, led by Elly De La Cruz's two hits and a run scored, showed flashes but couldn't keep pace against the Dodgers' firepower. Teoscar Hernández finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, while Ohtani went 2-for-4, scoring twice and driving in three. The win improves the Dodgers' record to 1-0 in the series, putting them one victory away from advancing to face the Phillies in the Division Series.
Moreover, this performance underscores how reliant the Dodgers have become on their star sluggers. Ohtani's versatility and Hernández's timely power have been game-changers, yet the bullpen's inconsistency remains a nagging concern heading into Game 2 on Wednesday. Indeed, with Jack Flaherty slated to start for Los Angeles against Andrew Abbott, the Dodgers will aim to close out the series swiftly. But as the playoffs unfold, one can't help but wonder if these early fireworks will carry them all the way or if deeper flaws will surface under the October spotlight.