The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies kick off their NLDS battle with Game 1 tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Shohei Ohtani takes the mound for the defending champion Dodgers, making his postseason pitching debut, and adding to the spectacle of a playoff series packed with star power.
There is, of course, no counter for Ohtani’s two-way excellence. He’s truly one of a kind. But the Phillies have a strong front end of their starting rotation and a lineup loaded with power, including the big bat of this year’s NL home run leader, Kyle Schwarber.
We already got a preview of the intensity of this matchup with their regular-season series in September at Dodger Stadium — a tense, playoff-like set that the Phillies won two games to one, clinching the NL East title on a 10th-inning go-ahead sacrifice fly by J.T. Realmuto.
Ohtani pitched in that series too, exiting after five hitless innings in what was one of his most efficient starts of the year. The bullpen, however, completely unraveled in that game, blowing the lead — a collapse that may foreshadow the pressure points Los Angeles faces here. But the Dodgers have since retooled, planning to lean on their surplus of starting pitchers in relief roles.
Cristopher Sánchez gets the start for the Phillies, who are well-rested after earning a first-round bye. Sánchez had a stellar year with a 13-5 record and 2.50 ERA. But he struggled against the Dodgers, allowing eight runs in 12.2 innings. Still, the Phillies won both games, thanks to late-inning collapses by closer Blake Treinen.
The lesson is clear: Philadelphia may not get much off of Ohtani, but they can pounce on the L.A. bullpen once he exits.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
1. Shohei Ohtani – P
2. Mookie Betts – SS
3. Teoscar Hernández – RF
4. Freddie Freeman – 1B
5. Tommy Edman – 2B
6. Enrique Hernández – 3B
7. Alex Call – LF
8. Andy Pages – CF
9. Ben Rortvedt – C
Starting Pitcher: Shohei Ohtani (RHP) — 1-1, 2.87 ERA (2025 Regular Season)
Philadelphia Phillies
1. Trea Turner – SS
2. Kyle Schwarber – DH
3. Bryce Harper – 1B
4. Alec Bohm – 3B
5. Brandon Marsh – LF
6. J.T. Realmuto – C
7. Max Kepler – RF
8. Harrison Bader – CF
9. Bryson Stott – 2B
Starting Pitcher: Cristopher Sánchez (LHP) — 13-5, 2.50 ERA (2025 Regular Season)
Dodgers-Phillies Prediction
The Phillies, at home and with an unstoppable offense, are tough to beat. But expect Ohtani to deliver on the mound and at the plate to steal Game 1 for L.A. The big wild card, of course, is the Dodger bullpen.
Prediction: Dodgers 5, Phillies 3
How to Watch Dodgers vs. Phillies
First pitch for today’s Dodgers–Phillies game is set for 6:38 PM Eastern / 3:38 PM Pacific at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The game airs live nationally on TBS, and streams on the TBS app and website, as well as HBO Max.
If you’re a cord-cutter without an active livestreaming plan, you can watch TBS for free by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, or YouTube TV.
YouTube TV even offers a 20-minute free preview, without having to register for a trial — if you just want to catch part of the game.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 6:38 PM Eastern / 3:38 PM Pacific
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
TV: TBS
Streaming: TBS app and website, HBO Max
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