Phillies Dodgers Begin 2025 NLDS Pitching Duel

The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to face off in the National League Division Series, with the Phillies entering as slight favorites due to their balanced roster and home-field advantage. The Phillies' roster includes former Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler, who signed with Philadelphia after being released by the Boston Red Sox and is expected to serve as a middle reliever. Los Angeles will counter with a strong pitching rotation featuring Shohei Ohtani, who will start Game 1 and make history as the first player to pitch and hit in the same postseason, followed by Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow. Veteran Clayton Kershaw will provide bullpen support in his final season. The Phillies secured a first-round bye with a 96-66 record and won the season series against the Dodgers, who are reigning World Series champions. Game 1 will take place at Citizens Bank Park, showcasing a key pitching duel between Ohtani and Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez.