Game 2 of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies is set for Monday at Citizens Bank Park, following a late-game comeback by the Dodgers in Game 1. The series currently stands at 1-0 in favor of Los Angeles, with both teams looking to gain momentum before heading to Los Angeles for Game 3.
With an off-day on Sunday, both teams had additional time to prepare and reset their bullpens. The Phillies announced that imaging on Harrison Bader’s groin injury showed “no major tear or strain,” but his availability for Game 2 remains uncertain.
First pitch for Game 2 is scheduled for 6:08 p.m. ET (3:08 p.m. PT) and will be broadcast on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max. In the United States, fans can also watch through MLB.TV with appropriate authentication. Canadian viewers can follow coverage via Sportsnet in English or TVA Sports and RDS in French.
The Dodgers will start left-hander Blake Snell, who posted a 5-4 record with a 2.35 ERA this season. Snell recently returned from a shoulder injury and has performed well since rejoining the rotation, including a strong outing against Philadelphia late in the regular season where he struck out 12 over seven scoreless innings.
Jesús Luzardo will take the mound for Philadelphia after leading the team with 216 strikeouts during his debut season. Luzardo ended the regular season with a 15-7 record and a 3.92 ERA, although two difficult starts earlier in the year inflated his numbers; outside those games, his ERA was significantly lower.
Lineups are expected to remain similar to those used in Game 1. For Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, and Freddie Freeman are likely to occupy the top four spots. The Phillies’ lineup should again feature Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Alec Bohm at the top; Bader’s status may affect center field assignments.
Both teams’ bullpens have been reset by Sunday’s rest day. The Dodgers have used rookie Roki Sasaki as closer recently but have not officially named him to that role long-term. For Philadelphia, Jhoan Duran is expected to close games after joining at the trade deadline; setup duties will fall to Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering depending on matchups.
On the injury front for Los Angeles, Will Smith continues playing despite a hairline fracture in his right hand while Tommy Edman manages an ankle issue that has caused multiple stints on injured list this year. For Philadelphia besides Bader’s situation, Zack Wheeler is out for postseason play following surgery last month.
Teoscar Hernández remains productive for Los Angeles with three home runs so far this postseason; Kiké Hernández added two RBIs in Game 1 bringing his career postseason total up among active leaders. On Philadelphia’s side Brandon Marsh delivered key hits late in September and early postseason while Bryce Harper has struggled offensively down the stretch.
As both teams look ahead to Monday’s matchup at Citizens Bank Park—the outcome could heavily influence how this best-of-five series unfolds before it shifts locations later this week.
