It’s crunch time for the Philadelphia Phillies as they head west to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, trailing 0-2 and staring elimination squarely in the face. After a pair of hard-fought losses at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies find themselves in a position they’ve never successfully navigated in franchise history: coming back from a 0-2 deficit in any playoff round. If there’s ever been a time for a miracle in red pinstripes, it’s now.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Game 3 gets underway on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, with first pitch set for 9:08 p.m. ET (6:08 p.m. PT). Fans across the U.S. can tune in on TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and MLB.TV, while Canadian audiences will catch the action via Sportsnet and French-language broadcasters. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are eyeing a slice of history themselves, hoping to become the first team since the 2000 Yankees to repeat as World Series champions—a feat that’s eluded every club for a quarter-century.
The Phillies’ journey to this point has been anything but smooth. Their Game 2 defeat was marred by a controversial ninth-inning bunt from Bryson Stott with Nick Castellanos as the tying run and no outs. The decision, which left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads, underscored roster management issues—especially the lack of a dedicated pinch runner. As one Phillies Mailbag columnist put it, "A better baserunner with a better jump might have beat out that ball to third, giving the Phillies first and third with nobody out." Weston Wilson sat unused in the dugout, a choice that’s fueled debate about the club’s in-game tactics and bench utilization.
Manager Rob Thomson’s roster construction has come under scrutiny for its reliance on platoons, which led to the bench being depleted by the late innings. Right-handed starters Edmundo Sosa, Otto Kemp, and Nick Castellanos all began Game 2 in the lineup, but were swapped out for their lefty counterparts as the game progressed. This left the Phillies with limited options when the Dodgers countered with left-handed relievers, and ultimately contributed to the fateful bunt call.
“I am philosophically opposed to the idea that the Phillies should not do their best to tie or win the game because of what might happen later,” the columnist added, highlighting the tension between playing for the moment and planning for future innings. The Phillies’ aggressive substitutions and lack of a pinch runner may have cost them dearly, but with their backs against the wall, there’s no time for second-guessing.
On the mound, the Phillies are rolling the dice. Rob Thomson surprised many by announcing that Aaron Nola, not Ranger Suárez, would start Game 3. "Nola has never pitched out of the 'pen," Thomson explained. "How long he goes, I don't know. But -- and I trust him." The plan appears to be for Nola to face the Dodgers’ potent lineup once, then turn to Suárez in relief. This all-hands-on-deck approach is a necessity with the season on the line, especially given the bullpen’s recent struggles—David Robertson and Orion Kerkering have not inspired much confidence in the first two games.
The Phillies’ bullpen will be tested, with closer Jhoan Duran potentially called upon for more than three outs if Philadelphia finds itself with a late lead. Lefty Matt Strahm and righty Kerkering will likely be tasked with high-leverage situations, while Robertson and lefty Tanner Banks could soak up the middle innings. The absence of ace Zack Wheeler, who is out for the postseason after thoracic outlet decompression surgery on September 23, looms large over the pitching staff.
Across the diamond, the Dodgers are sticking with their formula that’s brought them within reach of a second straight World Series title. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who’s been the Dodgers’ most reliable starter all season, gets the nod for Game 3. Fresh off a Wild Card Series start in which he struck out nine over 6 2/3 innings and surrendered just two unearned runs, Yamamoto is the first Dodgers starter since Walker Buehler in 2020 to allow one earned run or fewer in back-to-back playoff starts. The Phillies have seen him before—back in April, he held them to an unearned run over six innings at Citizens Bank Park.
Yamamoto’s dominance is well-documented, but the Phillies have one potential ace up their sleeve: Harrison Bader, who is 4-for-7 against the Dodgers right-hander. Unfortunately, Bader is hobbled by a groin injury suffered in Game 1 and is expected to be limited to pinch-hitting duties. As a result, Nick Castellanos will start in right field despite his recent struggles against righties. The rest of the Phillies’ outfield will feature Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler, both of whom are expected to provide a boost against Yamamoto’s right-handed offerings.
The Dodgers’ lineup remains stacked, with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy forming a fearsome top five. Will Smith, who’s playing through a hairline fracture in his right hand, returns to the starting lineup for the first time this postseason. Despite injuries to key players like Tommy Edman (ankle) and Miguel Rojas (hamstring), manager Dave Roberts expects his regulars to be available.
Teoscar Hernández has been especially hot, hitting .412 with three home runs and nine RBIs so far this postseason. Meanwhile, Phillies stars Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper have combined for just two hits in 21 at-bats during the series—a drought that must end if Philadelphia hopes to extend its season. "There is no question that if the Phillies are going to pull off a miracle comeback, they need their three most talented hitters in the lineup to lead the way," MLB.com reported.
The Dodgers’ bullpen, anchored by rookie sensation Roki Sasaki, has converted both save opportunities in the Division Series. Veteran arms Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen struggled during the regular season, but with the Dodgers’ deep rotation and timely hitting, the bullpen hasn’t been overtaxed just yet.
Historically, this is the sixth postseason meeting between the Phillies and Dodgers. The Dodgers took the 1977 and 1978 NLCS, while the Phillies triumphed in 1983, 2008, and 2009. But history won’t mean much if the Phillies can’t reverse their fortunes in Los Angeles. They’ll need big performances from their stars, smart roster management, and maybe a little October magic to keep their World Series dreams alive.
As the teams take the field at Dodger Stadium, the Phillies’ season hangs in the balance. Can they rally from the brink and force a Game 4, or will the Dodgers punch their ticket to the NLCS and move one step closer to a championship repeat? The answer is just nine innings away, and baseball fans everywhere will be watching every pitch.
