The Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani put on a show against the San Diego Padres, snagging a thrilling 7-5 victory in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium. It kicked off with those vibrant blue flags flapping proudly from the dugout roofs. As the game unfolded, Blake Treinen took the mound in the eighth, facing down Donovan Solano with the bases loaded. Then, BAM! Strikeout!

But it didn’t stop there. Treinen returned in the ninth with the tying runs on base, staring down none other than Manny Machado. What a debut for Ohtani in the postseason! He went 2-for-5, but that three-run homer in his very first playoff game? Talk about making a statement! It was a huge moment that helped propel him to that thrilling victory. MLB legends gathered on a show and discussed the Dodgers victory.

Derek Jeter calls out Padres’ risky move

On a recent episode of the NLDS postgame show, MLB legends Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and David Ortiz were buzzing after the Dodgers’ victory over the Padres. The star of the night? None other than Shohei Ohtani, making his postseason debut and making a big difference in the game. “This guy is unbelievable,” A-Rod said, shaking his head in disbelief. You could tell he was still processing Ohtani’s talent. Jeter chimed in, “I’m still trying to understand why you would pitch to him, with first base open.” Alex couldn’t hold back, adding, “Second base, third base—I don’t care. If you have a base open, walk them.”

It’s clear: when Ohtani’s in the lineup, the game takes on a whole new level! The game started with a bang as the Padres jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a homer from Manny Machado that had the crowd buzzing. But the Dodgers weren’t about to let that stand for long. Shohei Ohtani quickly silenced any lingering doubts with a powerful three-run blast in the bottom of the second, leveling the playing field and energizing the fans.

Dodgers and Ohtani Edge Padres in NLDS Showdown

The back-and-forth battle continued in electrifying fashion as San Diego snatched the lead back, going up 5-3 after Xander Bogaerts delivered a clutch two-run double that sent Padres fans into a frenzy. But the Dodgers weren’t about to back down. In the fourth inning, they showcased that trademark resilience—capitalizing on a wild pitch and a laser shot from Teoscar Hernández to put three runs on the board and reclaim the lead. It was the kind of rally that made you remember why postseason baseball is so special.

The tension ratcheted up in the eighth inning, with the Padres threatening to turn the tide once again. Bases loaded, two outs, and every Dodgers fan at the edge of their seat, hearts pounding. It was all or nothing. The pressure was sky-high, and the stage was set for a game-defining moment. Enter Blake Treinen. The reliever took the mound, staring down Donovan Solano, and with the entire stadium holding its breath, Treinen delivered. A clutch strikeout that brought the house down, shutting the Padres’ rally down in its tracks and preserving the Dodgers’ lead.

For Dodgers fans, it had been a long time since they felt that kind of intensity with a lead in a postseason game. Not since October 15, 2022, during Game 4 of the NLDS against—ironically—the Padres. Back then, L.A. had a seemingly comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the seventh inning, and confidence was sky-high. But then the unthinkable happened—the Padres stormed back, putting up five runs and shattering the Dodgers’ hopes, taking not just the game, but the series. It was heartbreak, the kind that sticks with you.

Now, with Shohei Ohtani in the lineup, the Dodgers are determined to rewrite that painful history. Redemption is on their minds, and the stakes are sky-high. This isn’t just about another game; it’s about proving they can hold on, about showing they’ve learned from the past. Every pitch, every swing, every second matters. Can they keep the lead and change the story this time around? Dodgers fans are hoping that this time, they’ll get to finish what they started.