NLDS Preview: Yamamoto on the Mound as Dodgers Go for NLDS Sweep

LOS ANGELES, CA—The Los Angeles Dodgers return home for Game Three of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. 

The Dodgers not only won Game One, but they also survived Game Two despite some ninth-inning heroics from the Phillies, putting them up two games to none in this best-of-five series.

Meaning, Game Three is a possible clinger for the Dodgers as they win one more game over the next three possible games, they’d move on to the National League Championship Series for the second consecutive season.

The Dodgers return home to Chavez Ravine, their first games since sweeping the National League Wild Card Series, and a stadium where they posted a 52-29 record this season.

Only two teams have ever come back from being down 0-2 in the NLDS: the 1981 Dodgers and the 2012 San Francisco Giants. Now, the Phillies will try to add to that list.

However, the Dodgers, smelling blood in the water, are going to look for a series sweep in front of their home crowd in what should be a fantastic game for both sides.

Pitching Probables

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 ERA) vs Aaron Nola (5-10, 6.01 ERA)

On the mound for the Dodgers, making his second start this postseason, is Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is in his second straight season on the mound in a potential clincher in the NLDS, winning Game Five of last year’s matchup with the San Diego Padres.

Yamamoto is coming off a dominant outing where the right-hander tossed 6.2 innings, allowing just one run (zero earned) while collecting nine punch outs in the Dodgers’ Wild Card Series win last Wednesday.

Now, he’ll face a Phillies team that will be fighting for its postseason lives, just one game away from elimination.

Yamamoto has faced the Phillies just once in his career, a start that came in the first month of the 2025 season in April, where the righty tossed six innings, allowing just a single run (unearned) and taking the loss while punching out five hitters.

On the mound for Philadelphia will be veteran right-hander Aaron Nola, who was announced as the Game Three starter after Monday’s loss by Phillies manager Rob Thomson.

Surprisingly, the ball is not going to lefty Ranger Suárez, who has been absent this series despite Thompson stating he was available to use in the bullpen in Games One and Two.

It’s even more of a headshake when you look at the season Aaron Nola has had this year, going 5-10 with a 6.01 ERA, but he had a good track record in the postseason despite posting a 4.02 ERA in October throughout his career.

Perhaps the decision is based on Nola’s past success against Los Angeles, but even that doesn’t track as the righty has a 3-3 record versus the Dodgers with a 4.31 ERA across twelve appearances.

Who to Watch

My guy to watch for Game Three of the NLDS for the Dodgers is third baseman Max Muncy, who has come off the bench for the first two games this series due to the Phillies starting two tough left-handed pitchers.

Now, Muncy will be in the starting lineup for Game Three with the right-handed Aaron Nola on the mound, and despite not having the best track record against him (.167 AVG), I expect Muncy to put together a solid game in a hopeful Dodgers win.

For the Phillies, I’ll go with Bryce Harper, as he is the heart and soul of this team and has yet to do anything this series despite a cheap single off Tyler Glasnow late in Game One.

If the Phillies have the guts to pull off a win, they’ll need their trio at the top of the order to step up, and Harper is the main one who can jump or sink this team.

Where to Watch

The 2025 National League Division Series will be aired exclusively on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max at 3:08 PM PT (6:08 PM ET)

Betting Odds

The Dodgers will advance to the NLCS with a win, while the Phillies are determined to prevent a sweep. The Dodgers are favored at -177, whereas the underdog Phillies have +147 odds to pull off an upset. Los Angeles is a 1.5-run favorite with +126 odds, and the game’s over/under is set at eight runs.

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