/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn-tor.buminteractif.com%2F2025%2F10%2F01123630%2FHernandez-1024x661-1-1.jpg)
After seeing the Tigers, Cubs and Red Sox win their first playoff games, the Dodgers and Reds crossed swords in their first playoff game.
It was an important game, considering the fact that from 2022 to 2024, the 12 teams that won Game #1 of their Wild Card Series ended up advancing to the Division Series in two or three games. #Wow
Teams who win Game 1 of the Wild Card Series have advanced to the Division Series all 12 times since the current playoff format was introduced in 2022
pic.twitter.com/xvPuKNMeVt
– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 30, 2025
Shohei Ohtani quickly understood the mandate. Early in the game, he hit a home run against Hunter Greene.
This clearly inspired his team-mates, as Teoscar Hernandez (three points) and Tommy Edman joined the party with home runs. That made it 5-0 after three innings, forcing Terry Francona to go to the bullpen after three innings.
Greene had the worst outing of the eight starters yesterday… and meanwhile, all was well for Blake Snell.
Teoscar Hernandez and Shohei Ohtani added more after that, and Snell continued to do his job. For the first time in his playoff career, he pitched at least six innings.
Kevin Cash would've pulled him again pic.twitter.com/VEMpcrgfkk
– PlayNow Sports (@PlayNowSports) October 1, 2025
No, even in the World Series in 2020, he hadn't. We remember that, don't we?
He finished with seven innings pitched and two earned runs… but even though the Dodgers led 10-2 when relief came on, we realized no lead was enough.
The Reds scored three runs in the eighth and, at some point, the bases were loaded. But they didn't capitalize, and the game ended 10-5 in favor of the Dodgers.
But the Reds, who face elimination tonight, know what to do: get to the bullpen fast.
This content was created with the help of AI.
