The Los Angeles Dodgers couldn’t have asked for a more electric start to their postseason run. Superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a historic performance in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds.
From the very first pitch, Ohtani set the tone for the night. He launched a record-breaking leadoff home run and later added a mammoth second blast, cementing his place among baseball’s elite postseason sluggers.
Facing flame-throwing Reds starter Hunter Greene, Ohtani showed off sheer power and precision. He led the Dodgers to a convincing 10-5 victory that’s already ignited hopes for a deep playoff push.
Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Leadoff Blast
The night kicked off with a moment fans will replay for years. Ohtani turned on a 100-mph fastball and sent it rocketing into the right-field bleachers at Dodger Stadium.
The numbers behind that swing? Absolutely wild: the ball left Ohtani’s bat at 117.7 mph, making it the hardest-hit home run off a pitch over 100 mph since Statcast began tracking data in 2015.
Breaking Statcast Records
That titanic exit velocity shattered the previous record of 113.7 mph, set by Rafael Devers against Gerrit Cole in 2021. Ohtani’s blast now sits among the hardest-hit postseason home runs, right up there with power hitters like Kyle Schwarber and Giancarlo Stanton.
For a second, it felt like Dodger Stadium itself shook under the force of that swing. The crowd absolutely erupted.
A Second Bomb to Seal the Night
If the leadoff laser wasn’t enough, Ohtani came back later and unloaded a towering 454-foot shot with an exit velocity of 113.5 mph. That made him just the second player in Statcast postseason history to record multiple home runs over 113 mph in the same game.
Joining Rare Company
Pulling off that kind of power display twice in one game? That’s rare air. Usually, only the biggest names in baseball pull that off, and it just shows why Ohtani keeps redefining what it means to be a complete player these days.
His mix of raw strength, technical mastery, and a seriously competitive edge makes him a nightmare for any pitcher.
Dodgers’ Offensive Explosion
Ohtani’s brilliance headlined what turned into a full-on offensive outburst for the Dodgers. By the sixth inning, Los Angeles had built a commanding 6-0 lead, a cushion they rode to a 10-5 victory.
Every inning seemed to provide a spark. The Dodgers lineup showed off the depth and versatility that’s made them a powerhouse all year.
Teoscar Hernández’s Two-Homer Night
Teoscar Hernández matched Ohtani’s fireworks with two home runs of his own. That made history too—it’s only the second time in Dodgers postseason history that two players have had multi-homer games in the same contest.
It just goes to show how relentless this lineup can be when everyone’s locked in.
Ohtani’s Postseason Statement
For Ohtani, the night wasn’t just about numbers. Coming off another MVP-caliber regular season, this game felt like a statement—he thrives when the stakes are highest.
His final line looked like this:
- 2-for-5 at the plate
- Two home runs
- Three RBI
- Two runs scored
The Bigger Picture
Ohtani’s night went way beyond record books and highlight reels. It really showed why the Dodgers invested so heavily in building a roster around players like him.
His unique mix of skills has elevated the team’s overall offensive potential. You can feel the confidence and excitement rippling through the fanbase right now.
Momentum Moving Forward
Game 1’s win gives the Dodgers a burst of momentum for the rest of the series. Ohtani’s performance puts a real challenge in front of any team facing them next.
His bat? Unstoppable. His energy? You can feel it in the stadium.
For fans, it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement. Watching Ohtani at this level feels like witnessing something rare—maybe even historic.
He started with that leadoff blast, then followed with a towering second shot. Dodger Stadium just came alive.
Ohtani’s carving his name even deeper into postseason lore. If this is how October starts for the Dodgers, well, baseball fans might want to buckle up. This ride’s only just begun.
Here is the source article for this story: MLB playoffs 2025: Shohei Ohtani smokes record-breaking home run vs. Reds to lead off Dodgers’ postseason
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