The Los Angeles Dodgers made quick work of the Cincinnati Reds, eliminating them in just two games without breaking much of a sweat. The only real concern? Their bullpen, which remains a fragile area of the roster. But with that hurdle cleared, the Dodgers are now preparing for what promises to be a thrilling clash with the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series.
Both clubs are established powerhouses with deep playoff experience. For Philadelphia, this marks their fourth straight trip to the Division Series. For Los Angeles, it’s even more remarkable — their 13th consecutive appearance at this stage. As the postseason continues, fans are left with one big question: who has the edge in this high-stakes matchup?
The Pitchers
The spotlight will naturally fall on the starting rotations. The Dodgers will open the series with Shohei Ohtani, who is about to make history. Not only will this be his first time pitching in the playoffs, but he is also set to become the first player in MLB history to start a postseason game as both a hitter and a pitcher in the same series.
When asked about whether Ohtani would be held back at all, Dodgers president Andrew Friedman made it clear that the two-way star is fully unleashed:
“I just think he’s a normal starting pitcher now,” Friedman said. “We kind of eased him along. Just a normal starting pitcher.”
Behind Ohtani, the Dodgers can line up Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. With an off day built into the schedule, Snell could be used in Game 2 on extra rest, while Yamamoto would be lined up for Game 3. Tyler Glasnow is another option, but the Dodgers may prefer to keep him available for bullpen depth, especially since relief pitching has been shaky over the last two months.
The Reds never truly tested Los Angeles’ arms, but the Phillies will be a very different challenge.
Philadelphia’s rotation is solid even without Zack Wheeler. Cristopher Sánchez is slated to pitch Game 1, followed by Jesús Luzardo and Ranger Suárez, who both ended the regular season on strong notes.
Aaron Nola remains the wild card. His 2025 campaign was rough, but he turned in a brilliant eight-inning, nine-strikeout gem in his final regular-season start.
As one writer observed:
“This season has not gone how Aaron Nola wanted it to. But a strong performance in October could change the entire narrative.”
If Nola can replicate that form, the Phillies’ staff could match the Dodgers pitch-for-pitch.
The Bullpens
Neither side has an untouchable bullpen, but there are key arms to watch. For the Phillies, Tanner Banks, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering are the trusted options — arms Rob Thomson will likely lean on in critical situations. Veterans like David Robertson and José Alvarado are less reliable but still in the mix.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, cannot afford to fall behind late. Philadelphia closer Jhoan Duran is one of the most intimidating weapons in the entire postseason field. If he enters the game with a lead in the eighth or ninth, Los Angeles may find themselves fighting uphill.
Position Players
Both lineups are stacked with star power and depth.
For the Phillies, the names are familiar: J.T. Realmuto, Trea Turner, Harrison Bader, Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper, and the ever-dangerous Kyle Schwarber. Harper, still chasing his first World Series ring, will be playing with all the intensity one would expect from a future Hall of Famer.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, boast their own arsenal. Freddie Freeman enters healthy, Mookie Betts has rediscovered his top form, and Ohtani continues to dominate at the plate. Add in Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy, and Kiké Hernández, and Los Angeles has firepower up and down the lineup — plus a bench that consistently produces when called upon.
The Managers
Rob Thomson is now in his fourth year leading the Phillies. Under his guidance, they’ve reached the World Series once, made the Championship Series another time, but also experienced disappointment when they failed to win a single playoff round in 2024. Now, he’s looking to steer them back on course.
On the Dodgers’ side, Dave Roberts enters the series with less pressure than in past years. His 2024 postseason run helped him shake off the label of being a manager prone to costly October mistakes. But the question remains: which version of Roberts will show up this time?
The Imponderables
The Phillies and Dodgers haven’t met in the postseason since 2009. That year, Philadelphia reached the World Series but fell short of winning it all. Now, in 2025, both franchises are carrying massive expectations.
The atmosphere promises to be electric, especially in Philadelphia, where fans create one of the most intimidating playoff environments in baseball.
Both organizations enter the series with pressure to deliver. The Phillies have yet to fully capitalize on their talent in recent Octobers. The Dodgers, with their resources and star-studded roster, are always under the microscope. Something has to give.
As the series gets underway, all eyes will be on whether Ohtani can carry the Dodgers on both sides of the ball, and whether Harper can finally push the Phillies over the championship hump.
Who will rise? Who will fall short? The only certainty is that this Dodgers–Phillies matchup will be must-watch baseball.
“The pressure is on both teams. The Phillies haven’t lived up to their potential recently, and the Dodgers are the Dodgers. Both clubs need to win.”