In a postseason opener that felt more like a statement than a struggle, the Los Angeles Dodgers dispatched the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card series. Blake Snell, making his Dodgers playoff debut, delivered seven strong innings, surrendering just two runs while the offense erupted for five home runs. Teoscar Hernández and Shohei Ohtani each went deep twice, powering a lineup that showed no signs of rust despite the regular season's end. Indeed, the Dodgers' bats spoke loudly from the start, turning Dodger Stadium into a sea of blue celebration.
Game 2 brought more of the same dominance, as Los Angeles clinched the series with an 8-4 victory, sweeping the Reds and advancing to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. Zack Littell took the mound for Cincinnati, but the right-hander couldn't stem the tide, allowing key hits that let the Dodgers pull away in the middle innings. Austin Hays contributed solidly in left field, going 2-for-4 with a double that drove in a run, underscoring his value in the revamped outfield. Littell, who entered with a 3.62 ERA over his last 10 starts, faltered under the playoff spotlight, walking three and giving up four earned runs in five innings.
Pre-series predictions had leaned toward a Dodgers win, but few foresaw such a lopsided affair. Experts pointed to Snell's veteran poise—acquired midseason in a blockbuster trade—as the edge, yet the Reds' young core, led by Littell's steady regular-season work, promised a fight. However, Cincinnati's offense sputtered beyond an early rally, managing only nine hits across both games. The sweep raises questions about the Reds' rebuild timeline, while the Dodgers, now 1-0 in the playoffs, gear up for a rematch with Philly.
Moreover, Snell's performance, striking out eight without a walk, evoked memories of his Cy Young days, though his command occasionally wavered. Hays, traded to LA earlier in the year, has quietly become a glue guy, his .278 average since joining providing depth amid injuries. The series exposed Cincinnati's pitching vulnerabilities, with Littell unable to replicate his August form where he posted a sub-3.00 ERA.
As the Dodgers shift focus to the division series, one wonders if this early momentum will carry them deeper into October's unpredictable fray.