The Los Angeles Dodgers asserted their dominance in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 10-5. The tone was set early by Shohei Ohtani's leadoff home run, initiating a five-homer barrage by the Dodgers. Pitching disparities were stark: Reds starter Hunter Greene surrendered three long balls in just three innings, while Dodgers ace Blake Snell delivered a masterful performance, not allowing his third baserunner until the seventh frame. This decisive victory puts the heavily favored Dodgers in a commanding 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, has long carried a reputation for not consistently pitching deep into games, leading many to believe that a patient approach at the plate was the optimal strategy against him. However, the Reds opted for an aggressive early-count attack, with four of Snell's first six batters concluding their at-bats in two pitches or fewer. This strategy, intended to challenge Snell, backfired significantly.
The outcome was remarkably beneficial for Snell and the Dodgers. Not only did he settle into a rhythm, but he also logged the longest postseason outing of his career. Demonstrating exceptional efficiency, Snell pitched seven full innings on just 91 pitches, surpassing his previous postseason best of 5 2/3 innings from 2020. With concerns surrounding the Dodgers' bullpen, a deep and effective start from their rotation was crucial. Snell's performance was precisely what the team needed to conserve their relief arms.
Historically, winning Game 1 in the current playoff format has been a strong predictor of series victory, with teams taking an 18-2 record. This made the opener particularly critical for the underdog Cincinnati Reds, who finished the regular season with 83 wins, 10 less than the Dodgers and fewer than any other playoff contender. Despite deploying their ace, Hunter Greene, in Game 1, they now face an uphill battle, especially with All-Star lefty Andrew Abbott slated for a potential Game 3 that may never materialize.
The Reds' pitching situation for Game 2 adds another layer of intrigue, with trade deadline acquisition Zack Littell, who was typically the fifth starter, surprisingly named over lefty Nick Lodolo. Lodolo, who pitched in relief during Sunday's season finale, will be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's crucial elimination game.
Hunter Greene, Cincinnati's Opening Day starter for two consecutive seasons, battled groin strains throughout the year, including a two-month absence. Since his return, he'd posted an impressive 3-1 record with a 2.81 ERA over eight starts. However, his recent outings had been a mixed bag: the shortest start of his career, followed by his best, and then a loss in what was arguably his most significant start until Tuesday's playoff debut. Cincinnati's playoff aspirations largely hinged on the strength of its starting rotation. The decision to hand the ball to Zack Littell, a pitcher not central to those initial hopes, for a pivotal elimination game highlights their current challenges.
While Shohei Ohtani's presence electrified the 2024 Dodgers, Freddie Freeman's clutch heroics defined previous World Series runs, and Mookie Betts provided consistent excellence, it was Teoscar Hernández who consistently elevated their offensive power. The All-Star outfielder developed into an indispensable middle-of-the-order force, particularly lethal against left-handed pitching. However, Hernández experienced a dip in form this season, prompting manager Dave Roberts to bench him for a "two-day reset" last month, aiming to help the slugger rediscover his offensive prowess.
Hernández emphatically responded to the postseason stage on Tuesday night. He broke the game wide open in the third inning with a massive three-run homer off Greene, a blast quickly followed by another from Tommy Edman. Later, in the fifth frame, Hernández launched a solo shot off Reds reliever Connor Phillips, further igniting the Dodgers' potent offense.
Despite Hunter Greene's difficult outing, it's crucial not to overlook the Reds' anemic offensive start, which compounded their struggles. While the Reds finally registered their first postseason runs in nearly twelve years – coincidentally, Wednesday marks the 12th anniversary of Shin-Soo Choo's eighth-inning homer in their 2013 Wild Card loss – their offensive awakening proved to be a case of too little, too late. Prior to the seventh inning, the Reds' offense mustered only two base runners – a Matt McLain double and a TJ Friedl walk, both in the third inning – as the Dodgers built an insurmountable 8-0 lead.
A late surge offered a glimmer of hope, as Cincinnati plated two runs in the seventh and added three more in the eighth. While this five-run rally wasn't enough to erase the substantial deficit, it may provide a strategic blueprint for Wednesday's Game 2, if the Reds hope to force a decisive Game 3. The Dodgers' bullpen has been an acknowledged vulnerability, and the Reds' late offensive spark underscored the importance of trying to get the Game 2 starter out early. However, executing this strategy will be immensely challenging against Game 2's projected starter, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ultimately, the Reds concluded the game with a meager seven hits.
---
Originally published at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6678613/2025/10/01/dodgers-reds-game-1-score-results-nl-wild-card-2025/
