LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers showed plenty of familiar traits while opening their title defense on Tuesday, and it was not necessarily a good thing.

The Dodgers will head into Game 2 of their National League wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday with a chance to advance to the divisional round while surrounded by mixed messages.

The offense that came alive in September was in peak form during a 10-5 victory in Game 1 against the Reds as Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez each hit two home runs. Los Angeles socked five long balls in total to match the franchise's postseason record.

And yet groans of frustration could be heard as a ragged Los Angeles bullpen continued to struggle. Three relievers pitched the eighth inning, allowing three runs and issuing fou

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