Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds.

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers MVP Shohei Ohtani, who played with one healthy shoulder last year in the World Series, reminded everyone just what he can do this postseason when he’s healthy.

Ohtani jumped on Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene’s 100-mph fastball and sent it into the right-field pavilion, traveling 117.7 mph off his bat, to lead off the bottom of the first in Game 1 of the wild card series.

It was Ohtani’s 56th homer of the season, counting the regular season, sending the sellout crowd into a frenzy.

Ohtani's 57th homer of the year came in the sixth inning, and it was a mammoth 454-foot blast.

If Ohtani keeps hitting like this, there may be no reason for him to take the mound Thursday in Game 3.

If the series ends in two games, Ohtani should be available to pitch Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Saturday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani hits two home runs to kick-start Dodgers in MLB playoffs vs. Reds

Reporting by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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