Dodgers Take 2-0 NLDS Lead After 4-3 Win

Blake Snell allowed one hit and struck out nine over six shutout innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 to take a 2-0 lead in the NLDS. Shohei Ohtani provided an RBI single during a four-run seventh-inning rally that broke the game open. The bullpen surrendered a ninth-inning rally when Nick Castellanos doubled in two runs, but Alex Vesia and Roki Sasaki closed it out after a heads-up wheel play by Max Muncy and Mookie Betts and a game-saving scoop by Freddie Freeman sealed the final out. OptaStats noted Snell now has four career postseason starts with nine-plus strikeouts and no more than two hits allowed, the most in MLB postseason history. With the Dodgers up 2-0 in the best-of-five series, historical conversion rates (about 88.9% for 2-0 leaders) heavily favor Los Angeles, and they can clinch a berth in the NLCS with a Game 3 win at home.