NLDS Preview: Ohtani Makes Postseason Pitching Debut as Dodgers Begin NLDS in Philly
National League Division Series: Series Tied 0-0
PHILADELPHIA, PA—The day is finally here, Game One of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies, a must-watch event that kicks off later today at Citizens Bank Park.
The Dodgers, riding a seven-game winning streak going back to Arizona in the regular season, look to continue their streak in Philly, and they’ll have a good shot to do so as it’ll be two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani on the mound, making his first pitching appearance in the postseason.
It’ll be the second time Ohtani has faced the Phillies over the last thirty days, after facing them at Chavez Ravine in mid-September, an outing where he tossed five no-hit innings.
The Phillies, however, will look to continue their winning ways against Los Angeles, as they’ve taken the season series, winning four of their six meetings this year, while also holding a 15-10 record against the Dodgers since the 2022 season.
All eyes will be on the Phillies this season, as the team looks to advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since the 2023 season, and they look to rebound this October after falling in last year’s NLDS to their divisional rival, the New York Mets.
Pitching Probables
Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 2.87 ERA) vs Cristopher Sánchez (LHP) (13-5, 2.50 ERA)
Who to Watch
The Phillies will be sending one of the top left-handed pitchers in all of baseball, and likely 2025 National League Cy Young finalist Cristopher Sánchez, to the mound in Game One.
So, the Dodgers are likely to counter with a lineup that is very right-handed heavy, and one name that will have to continue to excel against elite left-handed pitching is Teoscar Hernández.
Hernández has good career numbers against the Phillies’ left-handed ace, going 5-for-12 with two home runs and four RBIs.
But let it be noted that the trio of Hernández, Alex Call, and October hero Kiké Hernández have four combined home runs against Sánchez.
As for the Phillies, I’m going to go with Bryce Harper. While the Phillies’ lineup has no career hits against Ohtani, thanks to a five-inning no-hit performance at Chavez Ravine earlier this year, Harper has a knack for showing up during October.
In his career, Harper has a .280 batting average and has smashed seventeen home runs, twelve of which were hit in a Phillies uniform.
If the Phillies want to set the tone in this series, they’ll need their MVP to beat the Dodgers ’ MVP in Ohtani.
Where to Watch
The 2025 National League Division Series will be aired exclusively on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max at 3:38 PM PT (6:38 PM ET)
Betting Odds
The Phillies are -124 on the money line, facing the Dodgers at +104. Philadelphia is also favored on the run line with -1.5, and the total runs expected are 7.5.
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