The Philadelphia Phillies are on the cusp of another historic milestone as they kick off a crucial three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, launching their final road trip of the 2025 regular season. After a rollercoaster weekend that saw them clinch their fourth consecutive postseason berth, but come up short of sealing the National League East crown at home, all eyes are now on the West Coast showdown that could define their playoff destiny.
Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park was supposed to be a celebration. The Phillies had an early lead against the Kansas City Royals, their fans ready to erupt as the club eyed a division-clinching victory. But baseball, as always, had other plans. The Royals exploded for four runs in the sixth inning, snatching the game and forcing the Phillies to wait. To add salt to the wound, the New York Mets pulled off a win over the Texas Rangers, postponing any champagne showers in Philadelphia for at least another day.
Still, there was cause for optimism. The Phillies’ 2025 campaign has been defined by resilience, depth, and a relentless drive that’s seen them rise to the top of the NL East with an 89-61 record, a staggering 12 games clear of the Mets. As of September 15, the magic number to clinch the division sits at just one. One more Phillies win or Mets loss, and the NL East title returns to Philadelphia for the second straight year—a feat last accomplished by the franchise in 2010-2011.
"This team looks like a team built to win in the postseason," wrote one local columnist, capturing the city’s mood. Indeed, the Phillies have found different ways to win all season, not just relying on their potent offense or shutdown pitching. Even with key contributors like Trea Turner and Alec Bohm sidelined, the club has kept rolling. The bullpen, anchored by trade deadline acquisition Jhoan Duran, has found its groove, and the lineup remains potent from top to bottom.
Speaking of the deadline, the front office’s moves have paid immediate dividends. Harrison Bader, brought in to shore up center field, has thrived since being plugged into the leadoff spot. In his first 38 games as a Phillie, Bader boasts a .349 batting average and a .940 OPS, along with highlight-reel catches and timely home runs. “For the first time in a while, it feels like the Phillies have found their centerfielder,” one beat writer observed. Dave Dombrowski, the team’s president of baseball operations, also landed Duran, who has delivered as the club’s closer down the stretch.
Now, as the Phillies embark on a six-game road trip—three in Los Angeles, followed by three in Arizona—they’re not just chasing a division title. They’re in a heated race for playoff seeding that could determine whether they get a coveted first-round bye. The Phillies currently lead the Dodgers by 4.5 games for the second seed in the National League. That margin means the Dodgers must sweep this series to have a realistic shot at leapfrogging Philadelphia in the standings. Anything less, and the Phillies will almost certainly secure that crucial bye, giving them a leg up as October approaches.
But the stakes don’t end there. Philadelphia is just two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the top seed in the NL, though the Brewers hold the tiebreaker. The Phillies’ magic numbers are simple: one win or Mets loss for the division, nine wins or Dodgers losses to lock up the second seed, and ten losses or Brewers wins for Milwaukee to clinch the top spot. With only a handful of games left, every pitch, every at-bat, and every managerial decision takes on outsized importance.
The pitching matchups for this Dodgers series are as tantalizing as any in recent memory. Monday night, Ranger Suarez (12-6, 2.77 ERA) takes the hill for Philadelphia. Suarez has been lights out lately, allowing just one earned run over his last four starts. Since a rough outing against the Reds in mid-August, he’s rebounded in spectacular fashion, staking his claim as a reliable postseason arm. He’ll face Emmet Sheehan (6-3, 3.32 ERA), a young righty who’s quickly become a key piece in the Dodgers’ rotation.
Game two brings even more intrigue. Cristopher Sanchez (13-5, 2.57 ERA), the Phillies’ emerging ace and a dark horse in the NL Cy Young race, will duel with none other than Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 3.75 ERA). Ohtani, making his return to the mound after Tommy John surgery, has never pitched against the Phillies before. While he’s expected to be limited to five innings, his presence alone electrifies the matchup. If the Phillies can work his pitch count and force him out early, they’ll like their chances against a less formidable Dodgers bullpen.
The series finale features Jesus Luzardo (14-6, 4.03 ERA), fresh off an eight-inning gem against the Mets, against two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell (4-4, 2.79 ERA). Luzardo has a history of success against Los Angeles, including seven scoreless innings in their last meeting. Snell, meanwhile, has been on a tear since returning from injury, posting a 2.97 ERA and 51 strikeouts over his last seven starts. However, he’s struggled against the Phillies historically, with a 5.01 ERA in his last five outings facing Philadelphia.
Offensively, the Phillies are peaking at the right time. Kyle Schwarber is putting together a monster season, having blasted his 50th home run of the year on September 9 against the Mets. Bryson Stott, Bryce Harper, and J.T. Realmuto have all delivered in clutch moments, while the supporting cast—Bader, Brandon Marsh, and others—has stepped up when needed most. The team’s ability to win with both power and pitching, to grind out close games or run away with blowouts, bodes well for their October ambitions.
As the regular season winds down, the Phillies’ path is clear, but not without obstacles. They control their own destiny in the division and seeding races, but any slip-up could open the door for the Dodgers or Brewers. The club’s focus, however, is unwavering. "They have found different ways to win games, not just relying on the offense or pitching," a recent report noted. That adaptability will be tested in this high-stakes series at Dodger Stadium.
For Phillies fans, the anticipation is palpable. Red October is near, and this team—battle-tested, deep, and hungry—looks poised for another deep postseason run. With just one more win needed to clinch the NL East and a date with the Dodgers on tap, the next few nights could go a long way toward determining whether 2025 becomes another chapter in Philadelphia’s storied baseball history.
For now, the Phillies’ fate remains in their hands. The city waits, the players prepare, and the drama of September baseball rolls on.
