Los Angeles, CA (News4usOnline) – Despite a late-inning comeback, the Cincinnati Reds look overmatched in the National League Wild Card series as the Dodgers trounced them in Game 1, 10-5. Los Angeles is now in complete control, only needing one more win over the next two nights at home to advance to the NLDS.
Shohei Ohtani put any nerves the Dodgers’ lineup might have had to rest immediately with a leadoff home run, continuing his reign as the most feared player in baseball. It is almost surprising that the Reds even elected to pitch to him throughout the night.
Ohtani struggled by his standards in his first postseason appearance last year with a .230 batting average. Having to participate in the Wild Card this time around will significantly benefit the bats in Los Angeles, allowing them to maintain momentum.
“Just having the one day off is a benefit to us offensively,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts before the game. “I think mentally, as a roster, we are in a good spot.”
After watching Ohatni get the long ball going, Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman got in on the fun. They took Hunter Greene deep in back-to-back at-bats in the third, chasing Cincinnati’s ace from the game much quicker than anticipated.
Ohtani and Hernandez ended the night with two home runs each, and 10 different Dodgers reached base.
If scoring 10 runs in the first game of the postseason is any indication, not having a week off could be a catalyst for the Dodgers that catapults them into the next round with much hotter bats than they have had in years past.
“The biggest downside of playing in a Wild Card series, if you are able to advance, is what your pitching staff looks like after. That is the cost, and I think with our depth that is really mitigated,” said president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. “There is a lot of risk to that, but if you could say you definitely get out of this round, then I would argue it’s a good thing that you played these games.”
A fraction of that starting pitching depth was on display in Game 1.
Blake Snell has been on fire, giving up only one run over his last 19 innings before heading into the postseason, and he dominated again on Tuesday, striking out 9 in 7 innings. When locked in, he is about as good as it gets, striking out hitters at the highest rate in the league among active pitchers.
The Reds managed to give the Dodgers a scare, scoring two runs off Snell in the seventh, and striking again for three more in the eighth against a struggling Dodgers’ bullpen, but it was too little too late.
On top of keeping the bats fresh, this series could also help give Roberts some clarity as to what he wants to do with the bullpen if they were to advance. In a potential matchup against the Phillies, the arms out of the pen must be sharper, or Philadelphia will make them pay.
“I have probably three or four guys I feel comfortable finishing the game for us,” said Roberts. “I don’t think (Ohtani is one of them), but never say never. Glasnow is an option. He is ready for whatever we ask of him, and it is high octane stuff.”
Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan, and Roki Sasaki, who were starters during the regular season, are all available for late-inning work and are much better options than what Robert deployed in Game 1.
Next in line is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whom the Dodgers would have complete faith in even if they were down 0-1 in the series. After representing the head of the snake during his first postseason in blue, Yamamoto enters year two with even more confidence.
“I was able to finish the regular season on a high note, and in terms of experience from last year, it will help me maintain my composure and calmness to help me be even more comfortable in the postseason,” said Yamamoto through his interpreter.
Yamamoto was named NL Pitcher of the Month for September after posting a 0.67 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 4 starts.
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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