Dodgers Win NL Wild Card Game 1 Over Reds With Five Home Runs

The Los Angeles Dodgers started their 2025 postseason with a decisive 10-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card series, showcasing powerful hitting and effective starting pitching. Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez each hit two home runs, contributing to a franchise postseason record of five homers in a single game, while Blake Snell pitched seven strong innings with nine strikeouts. Despite the offensive dominance, concerns about the Dodgers' bullpen persist, as relievers struggled in the late innings, allowing the Reds to narrow the lead. Injuries continue to plague the bullpen, with Brusdar Graterol sidelined for the season due to shoulder surgery, casting doubt on the team's ability to hold leads in the playoffs. The Dodgers' starting pitchers may need to carry the team through October, as the bullpen's reliability remains a significant issue. The team leads the series 1-0 and faces a critical Game 2 to advance to the Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.