The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown as the Los Angeles Dodgers, led by the electrifying Shohei Ohtani, square off against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) tonight at Citizens Bank Park. With the Dodgers holding a 1-0 series lead after a hard-fought 5-3 victory in Game 1, all eyes are on Philadelphia as they look to bounce back and even the series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:08 p.m. ET, and fans can catch every moment live on TBS, truTV, or HBO Max.
Monday's matchup features a tantalizing pitching duel between two left-handed aces: Blake Snell for the Dodgers and Jesús Luzardo for the Phillies. Snell, making his 12th start of the season, enters with a 5-4 record, a sparkling 2.35 ERA, and 72 strikeouts in just over 61 innings. Luzardo, meanwhile, brings a 15-7 record and a 3.92 ERA to the mound, with an impressive 3.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a WHIP of 1.220 over 32 games. Both pitchers have shown the ability to dominate in recent outings, setting the stage for what could be a classic postseason battle.
The Dodgers, coming off a regular season in which they won 58.3% of their games as favorites, have flexed their muscles with the second-most home runs in Major League Baseball (244) and a .441 slugging percentage, also good for second-best in the league. Their pitching staff, ranked 17th in team ERA at 3.96 and 14th in WHIP at 1.260, has shown flashes of brilliance down the stretch. In their last 10 games, Los Angeles has posted an 8-2 record, averaging 5.5 runs per game, launching 18 home runs, and maintaining a stingy 2.66 ERA.
Leading the way for the Dodgers is Shohei Ohtani, who has delivered a jaw-dropping campaign with 55 home runs and 102 RBI, ranking third in MLB in homers and 14th in RBI. Ohtani's impact was on full display in Game 1, where he pitched six strong innings, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out nine to earn the win. Teoscar Hernandez also delivered in the series opener, going 1-for-4 with a pivotal home run and three RBIs. Mookie Betts, with a .258 average, 23 doubles, 20 homers, and 61 walks, and Freddie Freeman, batting .295 with 24 home runs and 90 RBI, round out a star-studded Dodgers lineup that can strike at any moment.
The Phillies, meanwhile, have thrived in the underdog role this season, winning 16 of the 33 games in which they weren't favored. Their offense, powered by 212 home runs (ninth in MLB) and a .431 slugging percentage (fourth in MLB), has kept them in contention all year. On the mound, Philadelphia boasts the eighth-best team ERA at 3.80 and a WHIP of 1.235, ranking 10th in the majors. Over their last 10 games, the Phillies have gone 5-5, averaging 3.8 runs per game with 15 home runs and a 2.97 ERA.
Kyle Schwarber has been the Phillies' engine, blasting 56 home runs and driving in a league-leading 132 RBI. His prodigious power has made him a constant threat, ranking second in MLB in home runs and first in RBI. Trea Turner, signed to a $300 million contract in 2022 by Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, leads the team with a .304 batting average. Turner has been a steady presence atop the lineup, while Bryce Harper has contributed a .261 average, 32 doubles, 27 homers, and 70 walks, providing crucial support in the heart of the order. Bryson Stott, hitting .257 with 22 doubles and 13 home runs, has also delivered timely hits throughout the season.
Tonight's game carries added significance for the Phillies, who are seeking to erase the sting of Saturday's defeat. In Game 1, David Robertson took the loss for Philadelphia after allowing two runs in just a third of an inning, while the offense couldn't quite solve Ohtani and the Dodgers' bullpen. Yet, the Phillies' resilience has been a hallmark of their season, and with Luzardo on the mound, they're hoping to flip the script in front of a raucous home crowd.
Behind the scenes, the Phillies' quest for postseason glory is guided by the steady hand of Dave Dombrowski, the oldest general manager in MLB at 69. Dombrowski's career, which began as an administrative assistant for the Chicago White Sox in 1978, has spanned nearly five decades and witnessed seismic changes in the game. He has built two World Series championship teams—the 1997 Florida Marlins and 2018 Boston Red Sox—and led four different clubs to the World Series in four separate decades, including the 2022 Phillies. Hall of Fame manager Jim Leyland described Dombrowski as "a combination of the old and the new," a testament to his adaptability and vision.
Dombrowski's philosophy was perhaps best summed up when he explained his approach after signing Turner: "I really philosophically believe that you win with star players." That belief is being put to the test once again as the Phillies' stars look to deliver on the biggest stage. With a roster boasting power, speed, and postseason experience, Philadelphia remains as dangerous as any team in the field.
The recent head-to-head history between these two clubs only adds to the intrigue. The Dodgers have had the upper hand lately, winning the last two meetings, including a shutout on September 17 and a 5-3 win in Game 1 of this series. However, the Phillies have shown they can go toe-to-toe with Los Angeles, having taken three of the previous five matchups, including high-scoring affairs and late-inning heroics.
For fans eager to catch the action, tickets remain available through Vivid Seats, and the game will be broadcast live on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max. Whether you're tuning in from home or cheering from the stands, tonight's contest promises drama, intensity, and the kind of October baseball moments that linger long after the final out.
With the Dodgers aiming to take a commanding 2-0 series lead and the Phillies fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive, every pitch, swing, and defensive gem will carry added weight. Will Ohtani and the Dodgers continue their march toward another World Series, or can Schwarber, Turner, and the Phillies turn the tide on home turf? One thing's for sure: this NLDS battle is far from over, and the baseball world will be watching every second.
As the sun sets over Citizens Bank Park, anticipation is at a fever pitch. With two of the game's most dynamic teams locked in a fierce playoff struggle, fans are guaranteed a night to remember. Stay tuned—this series is just heating up.
