Dodgers vs Phillies NLDS preview: Shohei Ohtani to start Game 1, full NLDS schedule, series keys, pitching matchups, how to watch and what the result means.

Quick snapshot — the headline in one sentence

The Los Angeles Dodgers (fresh off a Wild-Card sweep) open the 2025 NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies — Shohei Ohtani is expected to start Game 1 in Philadelphia — here’s a full preview, schedule, lineups, tactical keys and what to watch in a series that could shape the National League playoff picture.

Why Dodgers vs Phillies matters — short context

This isn’t just another best-of-five: it’s a heavyweight NFL-style rivalry reimagined for October baseball. The Dodgers and Phillies are two of the most consistent franchises of the last decade, loaded with star power (Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman vs. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler/Cristopher Sánchez), deep rotations, and experienced bullpens. The winner gains momentum and matchups in a bracket where pitching depth and lineup balance matter more than regular-season narratives. Both clubs have recent World Series histories and each series between them has playoff consequences for pennant projections in 2025. (Bleacher Report)

NLDS 2025: schedule, TV & where to watch

Official NLDS schedule (Dodgers at Phillies):

• Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 — Dodgers at Phillies (first pitch TBD: either 6:08 p.m. ET / 9:08 p.m. PT or 6:38 p.m. ET / 9:38 p.m. PT) — final start time depends on the Yankees/Red Sox AL Wild-Card result.
• Game 2: Monday, Oct. 6 — Dodgers at Phillies.
• Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8 — Phillies at Dodgers.
• Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 9 — Phillies at Dodgers (if necessary).
• Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 11 — Dodgers at Phillies (if necessary).

Where to watch: national TV rights for the NLDS rotate by broadcaster: in the U.S. expect the games on TBS or ESPN platforms depending on rights (check local listings). MLB.com, the official team apps and national broadcasters will stream highlights and condensed replays. Local stations in Philadelphia and Los Angeles may have pregame coverage; MLB.TV handles international streams. Watch the MLB schedule page for exact start times and regional blackouts.

What we know: Dodgers clinched and Ohtani to start Game 1

• How the Dodgers advanced: Los Angeles completed its Wild-Card sweep of Cincinnati, highlighted by a balanced attack and pitching depth — Mookie Betts’ big night and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s strong outing helped close the series and book the Dodgers’ spot in the NLDS.
• Game 1 starter: Manager Dave Roberts announced Shohei Ohtani will start Game 1 for the Dodgers — a headline-grabbing call because Ohtani’s two-way profile means any pitching start is also a key roster decision for his batting availability in the series. Ohtani’s October mound debut for the Dodgers will be a major storyline.

Those two facts frame the series: Dodgers’ momentum and Ohtani’s role as a potential series-defining arm.

The matchup: Dodgers strengths vs Phillies strengths

Dodgers — depth and two-way star power

Los Angeles arrives with a historically deep lineup (Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández) and a rotation bolstered by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell. Winning the Wild-Card quickly preserved bullpen arms and allowed the Dodgers to enter the NLDS with fresher options. Expect Dave Roberts to leverage matchups, ride quality starters, and use bench versatility to manufacture runs late.

Phillies — home park advantage and front-line arms

Philadelphia counters with a sturdy rotation and home-field energy at Citizens Bank Park. Lefty Cristopher Sánchez (projected Game 1 starter for Philly) and veterans in the lineup present matchup puzzles: their offense can drive in runs through both power and situational hitting, and their pitching staff contains arms who can change tempo and sequencing. The Phillies’ ability to exploit LA’s bullpen matchups and force lower-leverage innings may be decisive.

Key storylines to watch (series-wide)

1. Ohtani’s pitching debut and workload management — Will the Dodgers use Ohtani only on the mound (and then remove him from the lineup), or plan for a two-way role with careful rest? How Roberts balances his at-bats vs. pitching rest will influence lineup construction and bullpen usage.
2. Rotation matchups & rest advantage — Dodgers’ sweep preserved starts and allowed more flexibility. Phillies’ rotation health and whether they can counter with their best arms will be a swing factor across Games 1–5.
3. Bullpen depth & leverage innings — Both teams boast experienced relievers; the manager who navigates leverage windows better will often determine late outcomes. Expect high-leverage matchups in Games 2–4 where bullpen chess defines the series.
4. Home vs road park effects — Citizens Bank Park is hitter-friendly, while Dodger Stadium is deeper; run-scoring environments will shape lineup construction and substitution patterns. Pay attention to how each team designs its offensive game-plans around park dimensions. (Dodger Blue)
5. Lineup construction against lefties/righties — Ohtani’s spot in the order, as pitcher or DH, affects opponent matchups. Defensive alignment and bullpen left-right balance will be tactical levers.

 

Probable Game 1 matchup & tactical preview

Probable matchup: Dodgers (Shohei Ohtani) vs. Phillies (Cristopher Sánchez). Ohtani’s feel for all pitches and his recent form (strong late-season numbers) make him a difficult assignment; Sánchez’s left-handed arsenal and ability to induce ground balls could neutralize some of LA’s power if he is on. Managers will consider late-inning bullpen matchups carefully — Philly’s closer usage and Dodgers’ depth make the ninth inning a tactical battlefield.

Tactical angles:

• The Dodgers will likely seek to attack Sánchez early, using the top of the lineup to generate pressure.
• Philadelphia will aim for sustained rallies and to force LA’s relievers into high-leverage spots earlier than they’d like.
• Ohtani’s role as a DH/potentially a hitter influences pinch-hitting and bench use decisions — if he pitches, will LA leave him in to bat? Early word suggests Ohtani will start as a pitcher and not bat, but managers might adjust based on series flow. (True Blue LA)

What the numbers say — form and matchup stats

• Dodgers offense: Entered the postseason with a top-order that consistently creates hard contact and home-run threats (Ohtani, Teoscar, Betts). Their depth makes bullpen matchups less effective against them because multiple hitters can punish mistakes.
• Philles pitching: Sánchez is an LHP with swinging-strike ability; his K/BB rates and first-pitch strike percentage will be key metrics to monitor. The Phillies’ bullpen WHIP and high-leverage ERA will determine whether they can protect narrow leads in tight games. (See MLB stat pages and ESPN analytics for up-to-the-minute advanced numbers.)

When you publish, embed MLB stat widgets and xwOBA/xERA graphs to support these metrics.

Managerial decisions that could swing the series

• Dave Roberts’ bullpen deployment: Will he use a closer-by-committee or preserve traditional late-inning roles? How aggressively will Roberts pinch-hit when Ohtani pitches? (True Blue LA)
• Phillies’ use of matchups: Are they willing to go to specialist left/right relievers for short stints to limit LA’s power? The answer will determine late-game sequencing. (CBS News)

Players to watch (beyond the headliners)

For the Dodgers:

• Mookie Betts — catalyst at the top of the order who can manufacture runs and control late innings with steals and hits.
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto / Blake Snell — crucial second and third starters who can set tone in Games 2–4. Yamamoto’s playoff composure is important.

For the Phillies:

• Cristopher Sánchez — projected Game 1 starter; his ability to limit hard contact will determine early innings.
• Bryce Harper / Trea Turner — impact bats capable of single-handedly changing a game with extra-base hits. Harper’s power and Turner’s speed create matchup issues for LA.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

How each team can win — series blueprint

Dodgers blueprint: Leverage rotation depth, win the bullpen battle, and avoid free passes. Attack Sánchez early and use platoon advantages to generate runs in Citizens Bank Park. Keep the top of the order active and preserve relievers for the final innings.

Phillies blueprint: Force LA’s relievers into uncomfortable matchups, exploit home park power, and attack any starts by non-top Dodgers starters with patient plate discipline. Use bullpen hooks early to prevent big innings. Capitalize on any Ohtani lineup constraints if he’s on the mound. (ESPN.com)

Media, odds & what sportsbooks say

Early oddsmakers and preview outlets (ESPN, Bleacher Report, CBS local previews) suggest a close series with LA often coming in as a slight favorite due to rotation depth and recent form. However, Phillies’ home advantage and playoff experience mean anything can happen — sportsbooks will move lines based on Game 1 results and injury updates. Check betting lines with reputable sportsbooks for up-to-date odds. (Bleacher Report)

Fan reaction & social media pulse (early)

Once the Dodgers clinched the Wild-Card and the Ohtani start was announced, social feeds lit up. Dodgers fans celebrated the sweep and the prospect of Ohtani on the mound; Phillies fans energized behind the home-field advantage. Expect heavy social engagement around Game 1 pitch times, pregame rituals, and instant-replay controversies. Stream highlights after every game via MLB.com, ESPN and team channels to catch the biggest moments.

Hats off to you, Phils fans pic.twitter.com/9EIsT1ywFh

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 2, 2025

 

Injury notes & roster logistics

As of the most recent reporting, both teams entered the NLDS with largely healthy cores after the Wild-Card round, though October always produces late injuries and day-to-day designations. The Dodgers benefited from a quick wild-card sweep that limited bullpen overuse; the Phillies’ roster decisions and bench depth will be critical for pinch-hitting scenarios. Expect official IL/roster updates each morning from the teams’ PR accounts. (Reuters)

 

Final take — what to expect and how to enjoy the series

Expect tight, strategically rich baseball. The Dodgers’ depth, plus the spectacle of Ohtani taking the mound, makes Game 1 must-see TV; the Phillies’ home crowd and rotation present a genuine test. This series will likely be decided by bullpen management, small-ball execution, and who seizes momentum in the first three games. Bookmark the MLB Gameday for pitch-by-pitch updates, follow the team beat writers for line-movement and injury news, and tune in early to catch pregame warmups — October baseball is a game of inches and managerial chess.

 

FAQs fans will search for (quick-answer format)

Q: When is Game 1 of Dodgers vs Phillies NLDS?
A: Game 1 is Saturday, Oct. 4 — first pitch either 6:08 p.m. ET / 9:08 p.m. PT or 6:38 p.m. ET / 9:38 p.m. PT depending on the AL Wild-Card outcome. Check MLB.com for the confirmed start time. (MLB.com)

Q: Who is starting Game 1 for the Dodgers?
A: Shohei Ohtani has been announced as the Dodgers’ Game 1 starter. (True Blue LA)

Q: Where can I watch the NLDS?
A: Broadcast rights vary, but nationally the NLDS is shown on cable sports networks with streaming options via MLB platforms — confirm local listings. (Dodger Blue)

Q: How many games in the NLDS?
A: The NLDS is a best-of-five series — the first team to three wins advances to the NLCS. (6abc Philadelphia)