It’s a high-stakes night under the bright lights of Dodger Stadium as the Los Angeles Dodgers get set to host the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on October 8, 2025. With the clock ticking down to the 9:08 p.m. ET first pitch, the Dodgers are holding a commanding 2-0 series lead and have the opportunity to punch their ticket to the NLCS if they can hold off a desperate Phillies squad. For fans and bettors alike, anticipation is sky-high, with the game airing live on truTV, TBS, and HBO Max.
There’s no shortage of drama heading into this pivotal matchup. The Dodgers, behind the bat of Shohei Ohtani and the arm of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, have looked every bit the juggernaut their regular-season record suggests. Los Angeles has won 84 of the 144 games in which they’ve been moneyline favorites this season, good for a 58.3% clip. Their power at the plate is undeniable, ranking second in Major League Baseball with a jaw-dropping 244 home runs and a .441 slugging percentage. The pitching staff, while not the league’s best, has held its own with a 3.96 team ERA and a WHIP of 1.260, both respectable marks in a year dominated by offense.
On the other side, the Phillies have their backs against the wall. Philadelphia has managed to win 16 of 33 games as underdogs this season—a 48.5% rate that shows they’re no strangers to adversity. But the challenge tonight is immense. The Phillies’ 212 home runs place them ninth in the league, and their .431 slugging percentage is good for fourth in MLB. Their pitching staff has been more consistent, boasting a 3.80 ERA (eighth in MLB) and a 1.235 WHIP, which ranks 10th.
Game 3 features a tantalizing pitching duel. The Dodgers send Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound for his 31st start of the season. Yamamoto has been a revelation, posting a 12-8 record with a sparkling 2.49 ERA and 201 strikeouts over 173 2/3 innings. In his most recent outing, he blanked the Cincinnati Reds over 6 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and no earned runs. Opponents are hitting a paltry .183 against him. It’s no wonder former Phillies manager Larry Bowa, appearing on the Takeoff with John Clark podcast, called Yamamoto "a tough test" for Philadelphia.
Facing Yamamoto will be Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola, making his 18th start of the campaign. Nola’s season has been a rollercoaster: a 5-10 record and a 6.01 ERA, but flashes of brilliance, including his last start on September 26, when he allowed just one earned run and two hits over eight innings against the Twins. Nola sports a 3.46 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 1.346 WHIP. The Phillies are betting on his experience and postseason pedigree to keep their season alive. As Bowa pointed out, "Aaron Nola starting Game 3 over Ranger Suarez" is a nod to the team’s trust in his big-game ability.
Offensively, the Dodgers are led by the transcendent Shohei Ohtani, who has smashed 55 home runs and driven in 102 runs while batting .282. Ohtani ranks 24th in MLB in batting average, fourth in on-base percentage, and a stunning second in slugging. Mookie Betts adds another layer of danger, hitting .258 with 23 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs, and 61 walks. Freddie Freeman, ever the model of consistency, is batting .295 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs. Freeman enters Game 3 riding a two-game hitting streak and has hit .294 over his last five outings.
The Phillies counter with their own heavy hitters. Kyle Schwarber has been a force, leading the team with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs—good for second in MLB homers and first in RBIs. Trea Turner is the Phillies’ batting average leader at .304, while Bryce Harper continues to be a threat, hitting .261 with 32 doubles, 27 home runs, and 70 walks. Bryson Stott and Nick Castellanos round out a lineup that has the potential to break out at any moment.
Game 2 of the series was a nail-biter, with the Dodgers eking out a 4-3 victory. Blake Snell was the hero on the mound, tossing six shutout innings with just one hit allowed and nine strikeouts. Teoscar Hernandez led the offensive charge, going 2-for-3, while Jesus Luzardo took the loss for Philadelphia despite a solid outing. The Phillies’ bullpen struggles in the postseason have been a talking point, with Bowa noting that "the ninth inning of Game 2" was a moment the team will want to forget. The Phillies have been accused of trying too hard to hit home runs instead of putting the ball in play—a tendency Bowa highlighted in his podcast appearance.
Betting markets have responded accordingly. The Dodgers are -185 moneyline favorites and -1.5 on the run line, while the Phillies are listed at +154 underdogs. The total for the matchup sits at 7.5 runs, with experts predicting a competitive contest—some even projecting a 5-4 Dodgers edge. The Dodgers’ recent form is red-hot: a 9-1 record in their last 10 games, averaging 5.8 runs per game, with 18 home runs, a 2.66 ERA, and 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The Phillies, meanwhile, are 4-6 over their last 10, with 3.3 runs per game, 13 home runs, a 3.16 ERA, and 9.7 strikeouts per nine.
Pressure is mounting on the Phillies, but as Bowa put it, "the Phillies are playing with house money down 2-0." There’s a sense that this team, despite the odds, could still make things interesting. The Dodgers, however, are looking to lock down the sweep and advance to the NLCS. For those looking to get in on the action, BetMGM is offering new users in select states a $150 bonus bet for a $10 winning wager—a sign of just how much attention this game is drawing from fans and gamblers alike.
So, what’s at stake tonight? For the Dodgers, it’s a chance to assert their dominance and move one step closer to a World Series berth. For the Phillies, it’s do-or-die—a final stand to extend their season and prove they can hang with the league’s best. As the sun sets over Los Angeles and the stadium fills with anticipation, one thing’s for sure: baseball fans are in for a treat.
With the series on the line, all eyes will be on Yamamoto and Nola as they toe the rubber. Will the Dodgers complete the sweep, or can the Phillies claw their way back into the NLDS? The answer is just nine innings away—and if the first two games are any indication, we’re in for another wild ride at Chavez Ravine.
