Dodgers Bullpen Struggles Jeopardize Wild Card Playoff Run

The Los Angeles Dodgers began their 2025 postseason with a 10-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card series, highlighted by strong offensive performances including two home runs each from Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez. Despite the offensive success, the Dodgers' bullpen struggled significantly, particularly in the eighth inning, allowing the Reds to cut into a large lead and causing frustration for manager Dave Roberts and fans alike. Starting pitcher Blake Snell delivered a solid seven innings, but relievers Alex Vesia and Edgardo Henriquez faltered, leading Roberts to question the bullpen's reliability and consider changes moving forward. The bullpen's issues have been a recurring problem throughout the season, with multiple relievers underperforming and contributing to losses despite solid starting pitching. Fans expressed displeasure with Roberts' decisions to rely on volatile relievers rather than more reliable options, reflecting broader concerns about the bullpen's ability to close out games under postseason pressure. Going forward, the Dodgers must address these bullpen inconsistencies to maintain their championship aspirations as they advance in the playoffs.