The Dodgers and Phillies have a lot of playoff history against one another. A new chapter will be written in 2025, as the two teams will square off in the 2025 NLDS. Philadelphia won their second straight NL East title and earned a bye to the NLDS. The Dodgers, meanwhile, beat up on the Reds en route to a two-game sweep in the NL Wild Card round.
Scheduled Starters and Start Times
- Game 1: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) vs. Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies)
- Game 2: Blake Snell (Dodgers) vs. TBD
- Game 3: TBD vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers)
- Game 4: TBD vs. TBD
- Game 5: TBD vs. TBD
Game 1 is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT on October 4. The second game, also in Philadelphia, is slated to start at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT on October 6. Game 3 is scheduled at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT on October 8 in Los Angeles. Game 4 is set for 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT on October 9.
The fifth game, if necessary, would take place on October 11 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT in Philadelphia.
All games will air on TBS.
A Look at the Offenses
| Stat |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 825 | 778 |
| Home Runs | 244 | 212 |
| OPS | .768 | .759 |
| Whiff% | 25.8% | 25.7% |
| Hard Hit% | 42.1% | 42.5% |
The Dodgers’ offense, on paper, heavily outnumbered the Reds in terms of run-scoring prowess. That indeed proved to be the case, as the Dodgers scored 18 runs in their two-game sweep of Cincinnati in the Wild Card round.
Teoscar Hernandez and Shohei Ohtani each hit two home runs, which currently ties them for the postseason lead. Mookie Betts, meanwhile, is the current playoff leader in total hits (8).
Los Angeles’ offense is firing on all cylinders. What could also benefit the Dodgers even more is the fact that Will Smith may return to the lineup during the NLDS.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Smith, who was on the Wild Card roster but didn’t play, is available to catch. It’s an important development, given that Smith missed the last weeks of the year with a hairline hand fracture.
Ben Rortvedt, who got both starts behind the plate, picked up three hits in those two games.
As for the Phillies, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to state that this offense centers around Kyle Schwarber.
Schwarber blasted a NL-high 56 home runs and has his fair share of postseason home runs. He’s part of a deep Phillies offense, one that also includes former NL MVP Bryce Harper and a healthy Trea Turner. Turner, who suffered a hamstring injury in early September, came back for the final day of the regular season.
Harrison Bader (.823 OPS, 10 XBH), Bryson Stott (.896 OPS, 9 XBH), and Brandon Marsh (1.003 OPS, 11 XBH) all had a great September.
A Look at the Pitching
| tat | | |
|---|---|---|
| Starters’ ERA | 3.69 | 3.53 |
| Relievers’ ERA | 4.27 | 4.27 |
| Strikeouts | 1,505 | 1,471 |
| Opponents’ AVG | .232 | .245 |
| Chase% | 27.9% | 29.3% |
When the Phillies locked up a playoff berth, the team made it clear that Cristopher Sanchez would start the first game of whatever their first playoff round would be. That statement held true, as Sanchez will need to hold Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and the Dodgers’ right-handed hitters in check.
The Phillies have the rotation to get on Ohtani & company. Philadelphia won’t have Zack Wheeler available but will have Jesus Luzardo and Ranger Suarez, both left-handed starters.
For Sanchez, he’s the kind of starter who can overwhelm hitters on either side, thanks to the hard sinker and plus changeup that rank among the best in the game.
Additionally, the Phillies’ bullpen is in arguably better shape compared to 2024. Jhoan Duran has been excellent since he was acquired from the Twins this past July.
Speaking of the bullpen, the Dodgers’ troupe held on to leads, even though Emmet Sheehan made things somewhat interesting in Game 2.
The Dodgers will have Clayton Kershaw available out of the pen. But on top of that, Roki Sasaki showed that he could be a major factor this October. Sasaki was electric in the ninth of inning, one that saw him strike out two over a scoreless frame. The rookie hit 101 MPH, showing the velocity he had two years ago.
As for the rotation, the Dodgers will go with Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the second and third games of this series. But before then, Shohei Ohtani will get the ball in Game 1. This will be Ohtani’s first postseason outing as a pitcher.
The 31-year-old built up throughout the season at the MLB level. September was Ohtani’s best month as a pitcher this season, as he struck out 18 over 14.2 IP and didn’t allow a run.
Our Prediction
It’s a shame that this series will be in the NLDS. Between the firepower on both sides, this is an NLCS-caliber matchup.
It’s going to be very difficult to beat the Dodgers. Their rotation is elite, and on paper, there arguably isn’t a better lineup on paper.
This may be a five-game series. But, the Dodgers are our predicted winner.
Check out more of our MLB coverage, including a look at the Cubs/Brewers series.