Dodgers vs. Phillies NLDS preview and predictions for clash of October heavyweights – NBC Los Angeles

October has a way of pitting baseball’s brightest stars against one another under the harshest lights. This National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies feels less like a warm-up and more like a heavyweight title fight, the kind that could shape the entire postseason narrative.

The storylines are rich: Philadelphia enters fresh off an NL East crown, rested and recharged after a first-round bye. Los Angeles, meanwhile, stormed into October with a statement, dismantling the Cincinnati Reds in two games with a relentless offense that put the rest of the playoff field on notice.

Now, two of baseball’s premier franchises collide for the first time since the 2009 NLCS, a series that ended with Philadelphia dancing on the Dodgers’ October grave. Sixteen years later, the stage is set for a rematch—only this time, the road to the pennant feels even more crowded, the stakes even higher.

So here’s the tale of the tape between these two October heavyweights:

The Dodgers

The reigning World Series champion Dodgers have been in the NLDS for 13 consecutive seasons, but this year’s group may be one of the most balanced rosters they’ve assembled. Their offense looked like a juggernaut in the Wild Card round, piling up 18 runs on 28 hits in two games.

Shohei Ohtani wasted no time announcing his postseason arrival in Dodger blue, while Teoscar Hernández provided thunder with two homers of his own. Add in a rejuvenated Mookie Betts, who went 6-for-9 in the series, and the Dodgers suddenly resemble an offense with no soft spots.

On the mound, Blake Snell dominated Game 1, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto reminded fans why he was one of the most sought-after pitchers in the world, dealing a gem in Game 2. 

In Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, it will be Ohtani on the starting mound as the two-way sensation will pitch in his first ever postseason game. Hopefully, he won’t be too nervous because he finds himself inside hostile territory at Citizen’s Bank Park. But if his last start against the Phillies on Sept. 16 was any indication of what’s to come, he should be able to weather whatever storm Philadelphia brings. 

The Phillies

The Phillies don’t just arrive rested—they arrive confident. Winners of the NL East, they’re built for October. From the thunder of Kyle Schwarber to the speed of Trea Turner, and the undeniable October mystique of Bryce Harper, this is a team that expects to be in the hunt for a pennant every year.

Schwarber led the National League in home runs with 56 in the regular season, just one ahead of Ohtani. Now that Trea Turner has returned from a late-season hamstring injury, if the NL winner of the batting title can get on base for Schwarber and Harper, this Philadelphia offense will do a lot of damage.

The Phillies rotation features three sensational left-handed pitchers in Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez, and Jesús Luzardo form a trio capable of shutting down even the best lineups. If they execute, Philadelphia’s pitching depth in the bullpen, a weakness for the Dodgers this season, could tilt this series in their favor.

X-Factors

Dodgers: Roki Sasaki

After a rollercoaster season, for the bullpen–and for Sasaki himself–the hard-throwing Japanese rookie is now a high-leverage reliever for the Boys in Blue. His fastball has been coming in at 100 MPH and his splitter is absolutely filthy, if Sasaki can keep this going, the Dodgers may have just found themselves a new closer just in time for another run to the World Series. 

Phillies: Bryce Harper

In October, Harper doesn’t just play—he performs. With a career 1.016 OPS and 17 postseason home runs, he has a knack for delivering in the most dramatic moments. If he catches fire, Philadelphia becomes a nightmare matchup.

How They Win

Los Angeles Dodgers: Keep the offensive machine rolling. If Ohtani, Betts, and Hernández continue their Wild Card tear and Ohtani, Snell, and Yamamoto anchor the rotation, then all eyes will be on the bullpen to finish off the final few innings. A tough task considering how the 8th innings of the NL Wild Card went against the Reds, but if the lead is big enough they should be able to shut it down. 

Philadelphia Phillies: Lean on the arms. The Dodgers have the firepower, but the Phillies have the arms to suppress it. If their starters control the series and Harper delivers his inevitable October moments, Philadelphia could be the ones celebrating.

Predictions

Los Angeles hasn’t forgotten that 2009 NLCS heartbreak. They also haven’t forgotten what it takes to win in October—they did it just last year. Expect fireworks, momentum swings, and at least one game that becomes an instant classic. 

Home field advantage in the series belongs to the Phillies, who had a better record than the Dodgers by three games in the regular season. That could play a pivotal role as the Phillies have the best record at home in the postseason in all of MLB since 2004 with a record of 29-14.

The team with home field advantage in the division series has gone on to win the series more than 60 percent of the time, including 56 percent of the time in do-or-die Game 5’s. However, the Dodgers have defied that logic in recent years. In do-or-die Game 5’s at home, they are just 1-2 in the LDS, and a perfect 2-0 on the road. 

Here are NBC4’s sports personalities predictions: 

Mario Solis, NBC4 Weekday Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 4

Olivia Garvey, NBC4 Weekend Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 5

Alejandro Navarro, Telemundo52 Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 5

Michael J. Duarte, NBC4 Sports Writer & Reporter: Phillies in 5