The Philadelphia Phillies pulled off a clever and somewhat unorthodox pitching strategy that paid off handsomely, keeping their hopes alive in the National League Division Series with a convincing 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. But here’s where it gets controversial: the Phillies turned to their longest-tenured starter to open the game—a role usually reserved for fresh arms—showing just how much they trusted their veteran’s adaptability.
Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez combined forces on the mound, allowing only a single run over seven innings, which was a crucial foundation for the win. The real game-changer came when Kyle Schwarber swung with majestic power in the fourth inning, blasting a mammoth home run so powerful it nearly left the stadium. This moment gave the Phillies a new lease on life, and they would later add five critical runs in the eighth inning off Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw — marking the first time this series that Philadelphia could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The series now extends to Game 4. Although the Dodgers still lead 2-1, they will send their No. 4 starter, Tyler Glasnow, to the mound. The Phillies will counter with their top pitcher, Cristopher Sánchez. The battle is far from over.
Aaron Nola set the tone with remarkable velocity, opening his outing with a fastball clocked at 95.1 mph — his quickest since mid-2024 — and even upping it to 95.3 mph shortly after. Considering Nola had struggled somewhat after returning from injury, posting a 5.84 ERA over eight starts, it was notable that the Phillies trusted him over lefty Ranger Suárez to start. Yet, Nola was sharp, retiring seven of eight batters in two innings, proving his endurance despite recent challenges.
Despite Nola's effectiveness, the Phillies made the surprising move of pulling him early. On Suárez’s very first pitch in the third inning, Tommy Edman, who had a dismal 1-for-20 track record against Nola including postseason at-bats, smashed a home run. Suárez then settled, expertly navigating through Dodgers’ top hitters Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, handling pressure-packed situations calmly. His defining pitch of the night came as an 0-1 slider to Max Muncy in the sixth inning, which set up a pivotal double play — halting a Dodgers rally after Suárez gave up two consecutive hits.
Until Game 3, the Dodgers had effectively suppressed the Phillies' biggest offensive threats, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Both hitters had been struggling, combining for just a 1-for-15 record with eight strikeouts, thanks to the Dodgers’ aggressive approach attacking the strike zone early. But everything shifted in the fourth inning when Schwarber led off and faced Yoshinobu Yamamoto. After missing a few pitches out of the zone, Yamamoto threw a fastball that Schwarber absolutely crushed, sending the ball an estimated 455 feet into the stands. Harper then followed up with a single, igniting a three-run inning and cutting short what was already Yamamoto’s shortest outing since June. This sudden offensive explosion was the jolt the Phillies needed.
Philadelphia’s offense demonstrated its power in Game 3, scoring their highest postseason total since Game 2 of the 2023 NLCS. Still, that early momentum was tempered by missed opportunities, including a bases-loaded strikeout by Brandon Marsh in the fifth and a scoreless seventh inning with runners on base. The real breakthrough came in the eighth inning, where the team unleashed a flurry of five runs, finally breaking open the game against Kershaw. J.T. Realmuto delivered a deep hit off the second pitch he faced, stepping up the pressure. Schwarber, who drove in two of these crucial runs, further cemented his postseason legacy by extending his record for the most left-on-left postseason home runs, now with four.
This rejuvenated offense resembled the Phillies squad that dominated late in the regular season, finishing fourth in the majors with a .759 OPS, known for their clutch performances and late-inning power. But this raises an intriguing question: how much of their success hinges on unorthodox strategies and breaking traditional roles, like using a veteran as an opener? Could this innovative approach be the key to overcoming a powerhouse Dodgers team? And, most provocatively, do the Dodgers risk underestimating these adjustments and pay the price?
What do you think—will the Phillies’ fresh tactics carry them through, or will the Dodgers adapt and close out the series? Share your thoughts below!
