Could Freddie Freeman and the Dodgers face off with Bryce Harper and the Phillies in the postseason? Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
Tonight. Tonight. It all begins tonight.
"It," of course, is the National League Division Series matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies. And while their rivalry is no Jets vs. Sharks, these two teams indeed have a history.
This playoff matchup has occurred five times before. The Dodgers took the first two series in 1977 and 1978, while the Phillies emerged victorious in 1983, 2008 and 2009. All five of those matchups were in the NLCS.
The Phillies' two 2025 series against the Dodgers were in April – six months ago – and three weeks ago in September. The Phillies are not weighing both series the same in their game planning. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
"It's way more about the [series] three weeks ago," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Friday. "Then just watching them in the Wild Card series, and watching them coming down the stretch. I think that's what you base it off of. What happened six months ago, the teams are a little bit different than they are now, so I'm basing it more off of the last series."
But today, to get a better grasp on these current teams, both Dodgers-Phillies series – at Citizens Bank Park from April 4-6, and at Dodgers Stadium from Sept. 15-17 – are fair game. Let's do it.
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Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs. Shohei Ohtani (LAD): 1-6, 5 K
Yes, these are the Game 1 starting pitchers, but unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Ohtani also hits. Sánchez faced Ohtani in his April 6 and Sept. 16 starts, and other than an infield single, Sánchez got the reigning NL MVP to swing and miss five times.
Cristopher Sánchez's 2Ks in the 3rd...and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/x7WJregWj1
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) vs. Mookie Betts (LAD): 0-6, 2 K
Luzardo also started two games against the Dodgers, including his home debut on April 4, and he didn't allow Betts to reach base. The 2018 AL MVP struck out twice, grounded out thrice and lined out once.
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) vs. Kiké Hernández (LAD): 1-6, 5 K
Luzardo also had a great handle on Kiké Hernández. In six matchups, Hernández knocked in one RBI single to center field. Otherwise, Luzardo got the best of him, eliciting five swinging strikeouts.
Alex Vesia (LAD) vs. Nick Castellanos (PHI): 1-2, HR
It's hard to say for sure who has an advantage against a relief pitcher, since hitters don't face them nearly as often. Vesia appeared mostly in high-leverage spots this season and inherited 42 runners. On April 6, he allowed three of those inherited runners to score on this Castellanos grand slam:
Nick Castellanos crushes a go-ahead grand slam! 🔔 pic.twitter.com/OHnFwRYol2
Alex Vesia (LAD) vs. Bryce Harper (PHI): 1-1, HR
On Sept. 15, much more recently than Castellanos, Harper sent one deep into center field off of Vesia. The Phillies faced the Dodgers' lefty reliever four times in the regular season, so it's clear they like how he matches up against the Phillies' hitters. For the most part, Vesia held up, allowing just three hits across four innings of work. Two of those three hits were the home runs by Castellanos and Harper. He's hard to hit, but when you get the best of him, it's worth it.
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Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs. Teoscar Hernández (LAD): 3-6, 2 HR, 2B
This one is a tale of two games. Sánchez's first outing against Hernández was rough. On April 6, Hernández went 3-for-3 with two home runs and an RBI double. However, Sánchez appeared to have him under control during their Sept. 16 meeting. Hernández was held to a lineout and two groundouts, one of which resulted in a double play.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) vs. Andy Pages (LAD): 2-3, 2 2B
Of all the stars in the Dodgers' lineup, you probably didn't expect to see Andy Pages' name here. Suárez faced Pages on Sept. 15 and allowed two doubles, one to left and one to center. Pages could be a middle-of-the-lineup threat to watch.
Aaron Nola (PHI) vs. Max Muncy (LAD): 3-3, 2B
Speaking of middle-of-the-lineup threats, Aaron Nola could not get Max Muncy out in April. Although April's series was six months ago, and although it's unclear what role Nola will take on during the NLDS, Muncy went 3-for-3 with a double and two singles against him.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs. Bryce Harper (PHI): 0-2, K, BB
Yamamoto's start against the Phillies also came in April, so it's best not to put too much weight on it, but Harper did not have a good game. Outside of a walk, he struck out swinging and grounded into a double play. Yamamoto will start Game 3 in Los Angeles for the Dodgers.
Blake Snell (LAD) vs. Kyle Schwarber (PHI): 0-3, 2 K
Snell, the Dodgers' Game 2 starter, kept the Phillies in check through seven innings on Sept. 17. Schwarber accounted for two of Snell's 12 strikeouts. He struck out swinging, struck out looking and flied out to right field.
Blake Snell punches out Kyle Schwarber in a big spot 😤 pic.twitter.com/5vOwP4Q1jh
Blake Snell (LAD) vs. Bryce Harper (PHI): 0-3, K
Harper also didn't have a good outing against Snell. The two have faced off against each other since grade school, and it appears that Snell has learned how to get Harper out. Two groundouts and a swinging strikeout left Harper 0-for-3 on the day.
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Again, take these conclusions with a grain of salt. The playoffs are a different animal, and anything can happen. But it's good to have some idea going in of what matchups are more favorable vs. less favorable for the Fightin' Phils.
