Phillies and Dodgers Renew Rivalry with High Stakes This Week

Los Angeles, CA — The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers face off again this week for the first time since April, and both teams have significant playoff positioning on the line.

As of now, the Phillies hold a 4½-game lead over the Dodgers in the race for the No. 2 seed in the National League playoffs. The stakes are heightened as the Phillies (89-61) are one win away from clinching the NL East title, while the Dodgers (84-65) aim to fend off a challenge from the San Diego Padres in the NL West.

This three-game series at Dodger Stadium is particularly compelling as each team brings a star-studded roster. Both franchises are dealing with injuries that could affect their playoff pushes. Notably, the Phillies are missing their star shortstop due to a hamstring injury and a key third baseman due to a shoulder issue. Meanwhile, Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound after recovering from Tommy John surgery, making his first career start against the Phillies.

Manager Rob Thomson emphasized the importance of securing the best record possible, stating, “And we still want the best record if it’s there for the taking.”

Historically, matchups between these two teams have proven intense and exciting. “I feel like every time we go against each other, we have some pretty good series,” said Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber, who is in contention for the NL home run title. “It’ll be good to get out there. We know the task ahead.”

On the pitching front, the Phillies recently adjusted their rotation, favoring left-handed starters against the Dodgers, who have a balanced lineup comprised of both right and left-handed hitters. This strategy could hint at potential alignments for the upcoming playoffs.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, have attempted to bolster their bullpen, but struggled with injuries and performance issues from their relievers throughout the season. Despite being 91-win pace, they are not showcasing the same dominance as earlier this year.

As the regular season winds down, this series serves as a pivotal moment for both the Phillies and Dodgers. With playoff implications brewing, their road to October just got even more electrifying.