Dodgers and Phillies Battle in Anticipated Series Matchup

PHILADELPHIA, April 4, 2025 — The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies, two of Major League Baseball’s elite teams, will face off this weekend at Citizens Bank Park in a three-game series. The Dodgers, defending World Series champions, enter the series with an impressive 8-0 record, while the Phillies hold a strong 5-1 mark.

Saturday’s matchup promises a clash of top-tier pitchers, as the Dodgers send Roki Sasaki (1-0) to the mound against Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola (0-1). Both teams have demonstrated formidable rotations this season, making this series a key early test for both squads.

“We’ve got a really good rotation. We’ve got a really good lineup. We’ve got a really good bullpen,” Dodgers manager said, highlighting his team’s strengths. “So we’ll match up fine against anyone.”

The series opener saw the Phillies narrowly defeat the Dodgers, 3-2. Dodgers newcomer Tommy Edman contributed with a two-run homer in the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win after a strong performance from Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo, who pitched seven innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight.

In the second game on Saturday, the Dodgers will look to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the season. The team is optimistic about Sasaki’s pitching capabilities after he turned in a promising start earlier in the week.

Freddie Freeman, last year’s World Series MVP, will miss the series due to an ankle injury sustained in a recent mishap. Freeman’s absence will require the Dodgers to adapt lineup strategies as they seek to maintain their offensive productivity.

Despite their strong overall record, the Phillies have struggled at the plate in the early innings this season, failing to score in the first three innings of any game. However, they have showcased a powerful late-game offense, scoring 23 runs in the sixth inning and later.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, entered the season with high expectations but have found hitting left-handed pitchers a challenge thus far, which may prove pivotal this weekend as they face two lefties in the series. Manager noted, “We believe our lineup, with our right-handed hitters, will soon figure out how to combat lefties.”

Both teams feature hitters who have started the season strong. For the Dodgers, Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani lead the charge, boasting averages over .330 with several home runs between them. The Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber has also come out strong, hitting four homers in the early season.

Looking ahead, the matchup between the Dodgers and the Phillies unfolds on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday’s game is set to start at 4:05 PM ET, followed by a Sunday afternoon matchup at a time still to be confirmed. With promising pitching matchups and record-setting narratives, this series could set the tone for the rest of the season.