Philadelphia Phillies, Jesús Luzardo and Los Angeles Dodgers
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Phillies, Dodgers and NLDS
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Fans cheer as Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos stands on second base after hitting a double to score Alec Bohm and J.T Realmuto during the ninth inning in Game 2 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) AP
The defending World Series champs can reach their 17th National League Championship Series with a Game 3 win Wednesday in Los Angeles.
The Phillies know there will be widespread changes if they cannot do the improbable and win the next three against the defending champions.
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced a shocking starting pitching change for NLDS Game 3 against the Dodgers.
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Phillies' Rob Thomson explains decision to bunt as Dodgers' perfectly executed play snuffs out rally
Sure enough, the Phillies had Stott push a bunt with a 1-0 count toward third base, as a means of advancing Castellanos to third base and setting up a potential sac fly situation. That's not how things played out, however. Instead, third baseman Max Muncy and Betts combined to nail the lead runner, changing the entire dynamic of the inning.
The National League Division Series will ramble westward with two bullpens in disarray. One team has lost two games because of it. The other has gotten creative to minimize the
Lack of offense was a big reason they lost playoff series to the New York Mets (2024), Arizona Diamondbacks (2023) and Houston Astros (2022) in their last three postseason runs. If they can’t complete a miracle comeback and beat the Dodgers three straight, it will be the main culprit again.
The environment can be with us, and the environment can be against us,” Nick Castellanos said after the Phillies’ Game 2 loss to the Dodgers.