Dodgers look to take full control of NLDS in Philly

The Dodgers cannot let the Phillies feel like they can get back in this series. In some ways Game 2 feels like a must-win

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The Dodgers went into Philadelphia on Saturday and kind of stole Game 1. They outlasted one of the best pitchers in MLB, overcame some terrible defense, and mounted a comeback that quieted the crowd at Citizens Bank Ballpark.

Even with that, Game 2 feels like a must win. In a five-game series, momentum can switch on a dime. The Phillies had time to regroup with the off day on Sunday, and the crowd will once again be fired up to cheer on their team.

The Phillies will send Jesus Luzardo to the mound,

who faced the Dodgers in L.A. in September. He went deep into the game, but the Dodgers scored four runs off of him and garnered their only win of that series. The Dodgers hope for a repeat of that game, as Blake Snell also started that game as he will be doing in Game 2. Snell only allowed two hits over seven innings while striking out 12.

Snell already has a really good postseason start under his belt this year, where he struck out nine Cincinnati Reds while allowing two runs. Those two runs didn’t come until the seventh inning, however, and overall, he only allowed four hits.

That was in the friendly confines of Chavez Ravine, and this will be a completely different atmosphere for Snell in a hostile environment.

Could this be the game that Will Smith finally returns as a starter? Smith pinch-hit for Ben Rortvedt in Saturday’s game, striking out on three pitches. He remained in the game which amounted to four innings of work, his first since sustaining a bone bruise from a foul tip off his right hand in early September.

Manager Dave Roberts said after the game on Saturday that he would wait until Monday afternoon to make a decision. The team will have to weigh if it is worth putting Smith back in for full games now, or if they want to continue him splitting time with Rortvedt as he builds his stamina back up. Rortvedt has been a gem behind the plate, navigating the pitching staff he has just learned since coming over at the trade deadline. If the Dodgers are going deep into the postseason, not rushing Smith back could have more benefits than not.

As you may know I live in Pennsylvania, and every Phillies fan I’ve talked to says this series is over. There’s no way the Phillies are coming back. That could be true, but it also could be good old Philadelphia pessimism. The Dodgers need to assert their dominance and keep their foot on the pedal and any other cliche you can think of and not let the Phillies get hot and back in this series. Then they can go back home and hopefully celebrate moving on in front of their own fans.