Dodgers vs. Phillies NLDS preview and predictions for conflict of October heavyweights – NBC Los Angeles
October has a manner of pitting baseball’s brightest stars towards each other beneath the harshest lights. This Nationwide League Division Sequence between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies feels much less like a warm-up and extra like a heavyweight title struggle, the type that would form all the postseason narrative.
The storylines are wealthy: Philadelphia enters contemporary off an NL East crown, rested and recharged after a first-round bye. Los Angeles, in the meantime, stormed into October with an announcement, dismantling the Cincinnati Reds in two video games with a relentless offense that put the remainder of the playoff discipline on discover.
Now, two of baseball’s premier franchises collide for the primary time for the reason that 2009 NLCS, a collection that ended with Philadelphia dancing on the Dodgers’ October grave. Sixteen years later, the stage is ready for a rematch—solely this time, the highway to the pennant feels much more crowded, the stakes even larger.
So right here’s the story of the tape between these two October heavyweights:
The Dodgers
The reigning World Sequence champion Dodgers have been within the NLDS for 13 consecutive seasons, however this yr’s group could also be one of the balanced rosters they’ve assembled. Their offense appeared like a juggernaut within the Wild Card spherical, piling up 18 runs on 28 hits in two video games.
Shohei Ohtani wasted no time saying his postseason arrival in Dodger blue, whereas Teoscar Hernández offered thunder with two homers of his personal. Add in a rejuvenated Mookie Betts, who went 6-for-9 within the collection, and the Dodgers out of the blue resemble an offense with no comfortable spots.
On the mound, Blake Snell dominated Sport 1, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto reminded followers why he was one of the sought-after pitchers on the planet, dealing a gem in Sport 2.
In Sport 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, it will likely be Ohtani on the beginning mound because the two-way sensation will pitch in his first ever postseason sport. Hopefully, he received’t be too nervous as a result of he finds himself inside hostile territory at Citizen’s Financial institution Park. But when his final begin towards the Phillies on Sept. 16 was any indication of what’s to come back, he ought to be capable to climate no matter storm Philadelphia brings.
The Phillies
The Phillies don’t simply arrive rested—they arrive assured. Winners of the NL East, they’re constructed for October. From the thunder of Kyle Schwarber to the pace of Trea Turner, and the simple October mystique of Bryce Harper, this can be a workforce that expects to be within the hunt for a pennant yearly.
Schwarber led the Nationwide League in dwelling runs with 56 within the common season, only one forward of Ohtani. Now that Trea Turner has returned from a late-season hamstring damage, if the NL winner of the batting title can get on base for Schwarber and Harper, this Philadelphia offense will do a variety of harm.
The Phillies rotation options three sensational left-handed pitchers in Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez, and Jesús Luzardo type a trio able to shutting down even the most effective lineups. In the event that they execute, Philadelphia’s pitching depth within the bullpen, a weak point for the Dodgers this season, might tilt this collection of their favor.
X-Components
Dodgers: Roki Sasaki
After a rollercoaster season, for the bullpen–and for Sasaki himself–the hard-throwing Japanese rookie is now a high-leverage reliever for the Boys in Blue. His fastball has been coming in at 100 MPH and his splitter is totally filthy, if Sasaki can preserve this going, the Dodgers could have simply discovered themselves a brand new nearer simply in time for one more run to the World Sequence.
Reduction pitcher Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers towards the Cincinnati Reds within the ninth inning of sport 2 of a Nationwide League wild card collection baseball sport at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. (Picture by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-Information by way of Getty Photographs)
Phillies: Bryce Harper
In October, Harper doesn’t simply play—he performs. With a profession 1.016 OPS and 17 postseason dwelling runs, he has a knack for delivering in essentially the most dramatic moments. If he catches fireplace, Philadelphia turns into a nightmare matchup.
First Baseman Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies appears to be like on through the sport between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Minnesota Twins at Residents Financial institution Park in {Philadelphia, PA. (Picture by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
How They Win
Los Angeles Dodgers: Preserve the offensive machine rolling. If Ohtani, Betts, and Hernández proceed their Wild Card tear and Ohtani, Snell, and Yamamoto anchor the rotation, then all eyes will probably be on the bullpen to complete off the ultimate few innings. A tricky activity contemplating how the eighth innings of the NL Wild Card went towards the Reds, but when the lead is sufficiently big they need to be capable to shut it down.
Philadelphia Phillies: Lean on the arms. The Dodgers have the firepower, however the Phillies have the arms to suppress it. If their starters management the collection and Harper delivers his inevitable October moments, Philadelphia could possibly be those celebrating.
Predictions
Los Angeles hasn’t forgotten that 2009 NLCS heartbreak. In addition they haven’t forgotten what it takes to win in October—they did it simply final yr. Anticipate fireworks, momentum swings, and a minimum of one sport that turns into an on the spot traditional.
Residence discipline benefit within the collection belongs to the Phillies, who had a greater report than the Dodgers by three video games within the common season. That would play a pivotal function because the Phillies have the most effective report at dwelling within the postseason in all of MLB since 2004 with a report of 29-14.
The workforce with dwelling discipline benefit within the division collection has gone on to win the collection greater than 60 p.c of the time, together with 56 p.c of the time in do-or-die Sport 5’s. Nevertheless, the Dodgers have defied that logic lately. In do-or-die Sport 5’s at dwelling, they’re simply 1-2 within the LDS, and an ideal 2-0 on the highway.
Listed below are NBC4’s sports activities personalities predictions:
Mario Solis, NBC4 Weekday Sports activities Anchor: Dodgers in 4
Olivia Garvey, NBC4 Weekend Sports activities Anchor: Dodgers in 5
Alejandro Navarro, Telemundo52 Sports activities Anchor: Dodgers in 5
Michael J. Duarte, NBC4 Sports activities Author & Reporter: Phillies in 5
