Imagine the tension as the Dodgers aim to seize a dominant 2-0 lead in the NLDS, while the Phillies fight desperately to tie the series before that grueling cross-country trek—it's baseball drama at its peak, and Game 2 could redefine everything!
For those new to the postseason buzz, the NLDS stands for National League Division Series, a best-of-five showdown where the winner advances to the NLCS. The Dodgers have a golden opportunity to build momentum before the action returns to Los Angeles, whereas the Phillies are determined to level the score and avoid that exhausting flight. Thanks to an unexpected off-day on Sunday, both squads have extra time to strategize and recharge their pitching staffs for Monday night's pivotal clash.
But here's where it gets controversial: How much does that extra rest really tip the scales, or is it just hype? Fans debate whether teams overthink these breaks, potentially leading to over-reliance on bullpens that might not be as fresh as they seem.
Speaking of injuries, the Phillies revealed that imaging on Harrison Bader's groin issue from Game 1 showed no severe damage, but his availability for Game 2 remains uncertain. It's a classic case of waiting and watching—will he suit up, or will it force lineup tweaks?
Dive into Dodgers postseason tickets here! (https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/tickets/postseason?affiliateId=mlbcomarticle-inline-linklad)
Here's the full scoop on Game 2 to keep you in the loop:
When does the game kick off, and where can you catch it?
Game 2 is set for Monday, with the first pitch at 6:08 p.m. ET or 3:08 p.m. PT, broadcast on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max. In the US, you can stream all series via MLB.TV with a Pay TV provider login. Internationally, it's live too, except in Canada—there, Sportsnet handles English coverage for every postseason game, while TVA Sports covers the AL postseason and World Series in French, and RDS broadcasts the NL postseason in French.
Snag Phillies postseason tickets now! (https://www.mlb.com/phillies/tickets/postseason/ticket-opportunity?affiliateId=mlbcomarticle-inline-linkphi)
Who's taking the mound as starters?
Blake Snell, the Dodgers' ace, shone brightly in his first postseason outing with them, delivering seven solid innings and just two runs against the Reds in the NL Wild Card Series opener. This builds on his impressive playoff history: a 5-3 record with a 3.23 ERA over 13 appearances, including 11 starts. For beginners, ERA measures a pitcher's average runs allowed per nine innings—lower is better, and Snell's shows he's reliable under pressure.
Snell battled shoulder inflammation that sidelined him for four months early in his Dodger tenure, but he's historically stronger in the second half of seasons. He bounced back impressively, notably dominating the Phillies in Los Angeles during his last regular-season start, fanning 12 batters while allowing only two hits and two walks over seven shutout innings. It's a reminder of how injuries can test even the best, but resilience often pays off.
On the Phillies' side, Jesus Luzardo has been a revelation after joining the team in December, initially seen as just rotational depth. He racked up 216 strikeouts—leading the Phillies and tying for fourth in MLB with Paul Skenes of the Pirates—proving he's no ordinary addition. For the first two months, he was Cy Young-caliber, posting a 5-0 record and 1.95 ERA in his first 10 starts. But then came a disastrous stretch: 20 runs surrendered in just 5 2/3 innings across games against the Brewers on May 31 and the Blue Jays on June 5. While his overall 3.92 ERA is solid, it drops to a stellar 3.03 in his other 30 outings, highlighting how one bad patch can skew perceptions.
And this is the part most people miss: Is Luzardo's early brilliance overshadowed by that slump, or does it show the unpredictability of pitching in a long season? Some argue it's a fluke, while others question if the Phillies over-relied on him too soon.
What could the batting orders resemble?
For the Dodgers, facing another lefty starter from the Phillies, expect a lineup similar to Game 1. The top four—Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, and Freddie Freeman—should anchor it. Down the order, Miguel Rojas might get the nod at third base after pinch-hitting in the opener. Will Smith, nursing a hand fracture, could also start for the first time this postseason, depending on his recovery from catching the last five innings of Game 1.
- Shohei Ohtani (https://www.mlb.com/player/660271), DH
- Mookie Betts (https://www.mlb.com/player/605141), SS
- Teoscar Hernández (https://www.mlb.com/player/606192), RF
- Freddie Freeman (https://www.mlb.com/player/518692), 1B
- Tommy Edman (https://www.mlb.com/player/669242), 2B
- Kiké Hernández (https://www.mlb.com/player/571771), LF
- Miguel Rojas (https://www.mlb.com/player/500743), 3B
- Andy Pages (https://www.mlb.com/player/681624), CF
- Ben Rortvedt (https://www.mlb.com/player/666163), C
The Phillies' top four—Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Alec Bohm—look set to stay the same. Manager Rob Thomson might favor right-handed batters against lefty Snell, but Bader's injury complicates things. If Bader's cleared to play, he'll likely patrol center field; otherwise, lefty Brandon Marsh could get a rare start against a southpaw.
- Trea Turner (https://www.mlb.com/player/607208), SS
- Kyle Schwarber (https://www.mlb.com/player/656941), DH
- Bryce Harper (https://www.mlb.com/player/547180), 1B
- Alec Bohm (https://www.mlb.com/player/664761), 3B
- J.T. Realmuto (https://www.mlb.com/player/592663), C
- Nick Castellanos (https://www.mlb.com/player/592206), RF
- Edmundo Sosa (https://www.mlb.com/player/624641), 2B
- Brandon Marsh (https://www.mlb.com/player/669016), CF
- Weston Wilson (https://www.mlb.com/player/642215), LF
How will the relief pitchers be deployed after the starters?
The Dodgers' bullpen gets a fresh start thanks to Sunday's break. In Game 1, Tyler Glasnow pitched 1 2/3 innings, Alex Vesia threw just three pitches, and rookie Roki Sasaki earned his first save. Manager Dave Roberts hasn't officially named Sasaki as the closer, but his early success is promising. Veteran relievers like Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen struggled in the regular season, raising questions about their postseason readiness.
Here's where opinions diverge: Should the Dodgers lean on unproven talent like Sasaki, or stick with experience? It's a debate that could spark arguments among fans about risk versus reward in high-stakes games.
For the Phillies, Jhoan Duran is the undisputed closer since his Trade Deadline acquisition, dominating ever since. To bridge to him, they'll likely use setup duo Matt Strahm (lefty) and Orion Kerkering (righty) in key spots, tailored to matchups. Strahm faced lefty Ohtani in the eighth of Game 1, striking him out but then allowing a game-winning homer to righty Hernández. High-leverage roles might also go to David Robertson, who quelled a sixth-inning fire but allowed runners in the seventh, and lefty Tanner Banks. Watch for potential cameos from Aaron Nola and Walker Buehler—could they be surprise factors?
Any key injuries to monitor?
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, dealing with a minor right-hand fracture, played in Game 1 and claims he's good for a full game if needed. Tommy Edman must manage his right ankle, which caused two IL stints this season.
For the Phillies, Bader's groin could reshape their outfield strategy for Game 2 and later. Beyond that, Zack Wheeler's absence looms large—he's out for the postseason after thoracic outlet decompression surgery on September 23 in St. Louis.
Who's performing well, and who's struggling?
Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernández has crushed three homers in their three postseason games so far. Kiké Hernández, their postseason hero, boosted his career RBI total to 38 with a two-run double in Game 1, tying George Springer for ninth among active players.
Check out how the Hernández duo delivered in the NLDS opener (https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/teoscar-hernandez-enrique-hernandez-clutch-hits-nlds-game-1)
Meanwhile, Andy Pages notched his first postseason hit in Game 1 but is hitting just .077 (1-for-13) overall. Max Muncy is off to a slow start (1-for-9) after a late-season lower-body issue affected his swing, and he'll likely bench more against the Phillies' lefty-heavy rotation.
Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh excelled in September with a .338 average, 11 extra-base hits, and 13 RBIs, then delivered a key hit off Ohtani in Game 1 to spark a rally. Conversely, Bryce Harper batted .215 with a .739 OPS in his last 25 games and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in the opener.
Realmuto makes history with a scorching triple off Ohtani's 100 mph heat (https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/j-t-realmuto-two-run-triple-shohei-ohtani-nlds-game-1)
Other tidbits fans should know?
This marks the sixth postseason clash between the Phillies and Dodgers, with the prior five in the NLCS. The Dodgers triumphed in 1977 and 1978, while the Phillies won in 1983, 2008, and 2009.
Since 2022, the Phillies boast a 13-6 home record in the postseason (versus 7-9 on the road).
What do you think—will the Dodgers' momentum carry them to a sweep, or can the Phillies' home-field edge turn things around? Is relying on young pitchers like Sasaki a bold move or a risky gamble? Share your takes in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a counterpoint!
