LOS ANGELES– Seeking a second consecutive World Series title the Los Angeles Dodgers made a powerful statement in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card series, smashing the Cincinnati Reds, 10-5 at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, September 30.
Smashing feels to be a very appropriate description of this game. Shohei Ohtani smashed a lead off 100 mph fastball into the right field bleachers. Ohtani would add another homer, while Teoscar Hernandez also hit a pair of home runs.
This is the Wild Card round, meaning its a best 2 out of 3 series. Obviously, it will be a more challenging and arduous battle than previous years, when they had the best record in the National league.
The Dodgers did enough on the front end – seven innings from Blake Snell and a productive night from the offense — to counteract some shakiness from the bullpen.
The Blue Crew hit a whopping five home runs. Hitting a franchise postseason record with five homers and pounded out 15 hits as they opened their bid to become the first back-to-back World Series winners in 25 years.
Blake Snell retired his initial eight batters in his first postseason start since 2022, when the two-time Cy Young Award winner was with the San Diego Padres.
Although the game was never truly in doubt, Los Angeles has a bullpen problem.
Los Angeles relievers Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez and Jack Dreyer combined to issue four walks as the Reds scored three runs and pulled to 10-5. The trio needed 59 pitches to get three outs.
Either way, the Dodgers lead the Reds 1-0 in their series. Game 2 in the best-of-three series is Wednesday night. The winner advances to a best-of-five Division Series against Philadelphia.
