What's Happening?
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Blake Snell pitched six shutout innings, striking out nine and allowing only one hit. The Dodgers capitalized on a four-run seventh inning, with Shohei Ohtani contributing an RBI single. Despite a ninth-inning rally by the Phillies, the Dodgers' bullpen, including Alex Vesia and Roki Sasaki, held off the comeback attempt. The Dodgers are now one win away from advancing to the National League Championship Series.
Why It's Important?
This victory puts the Dodgers in a strong position to advance to the National League Championship Series, needing only one more win in the next two games. The Dodgers' performance demonstrates their resilience and ability to maintain leads under pressure, which is crucial in postseason play. The Phillies, on the other hand, face elimination and must win the next game to stay in the series. The outcome of this series could significantly impact the momentum and morale of both teams as they aim for the World Series.
What's Next?
The Dodgers will return to Los Angeles for Game 3, where they have the opportunity to clinch the series at home. They will send Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound, who has been effective in previous postseason appearances. The Phillies will counter with Aaron Nola, hoping to extend the series and keep their championship hopes alive. The winner of this series will face either the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Championship Series.
