What's Happening?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to face the Philadelphia Phillies in a best-of-five National League Division Series. The Dodgers, who recently defeated the Cincinnati Reds in two games, will need to maintain their momentum against a Phillies team that won four out of six regular-season matchups between the two. The series will begin on October 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. Shohei Ohtani, with a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts over 41 innings, is slated to start Game 1 for the Dodgers. The rest of the pitching lineup remains undecided, with potential starters including Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell. The Dodgers' bullpen performance will be crucial in this series, as it has been a point of concern throughout the season.
Why It's Important?
This playoff series is significant for the Dodgers as they aim to advance further in the postseason. The team's performance against the Phillies will be a test of their ability to overcome past inconsistencies, particularly in their bullpen. A successful series could boost the Dodgers' confidence and position them as strong contenders for the National League Championship. For the Phillies, this series is an opportunity to capitalize on their regular-season success against the Dodgers and advance in the playoffs. The outcome of this series will have implications for both teams' strategies and roster decisions moving forward.
What's Next?
The Dodgers will need to finalize their pitching rotation for the series, with decisions on who will follow Ohtani in the starting lineup. The performance of the bullpen will be closely watched, as it could determine the series' outcome. Both teams will also need to strategize on how to handle each other's strengths and weaknesses, particularly in pitching and batting. The series will be broadcast on TBS and truTV, with streaming available on HBO Max, allowing fans nationwide to follow the action.
