The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies are set to face each other in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on Saturday. The game will be televised on TBS, with first pitch scheduled for either 6:08 p.m. ET or 6:38 p.m. ET, depending on the outcome of the American League Wild Card Series between the Yankees and Red Sox.
This matchup brings together two teams that have been among Major League Baseball’s most successful since 2023. The Dodgers lead all teams with 304 wins during this period, including postseason games, while the Phillies are second with 290 victories. Los Angeles won last season’s World Series and has claimed two championships in the past five years; Philadelphia is seeking its first title since 2008.
Both clubs feature prominent players at the top of their lineups. For Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani, who is an NL MVP front-runner, will start as pitcher in his postseason pitching debut after not allowing a run in his last 16 and two-thirds innings pitched. “The two-way superstar has been a different pitcher than the one he was before undergoing a second major surgery on his right elbow, but he has been just as dominant,” according to team sources.
Philadelphia counters with Cristopher Sánchez, who stepped up as an ace following Zack Wheeler’s season-ending surgery. Sánchez finished with a record of 13-5 and a 2.50 ERA this year, ranking among league leaders in several categories.
Bryce Harper (two-time MVP), Kyle Schwarber (MVP candidate), and Trea Turner (2025 NL batting champion) lead Philadelphia’s offense. The Dodgers lineup features former MVPs Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts alongside Ohtani.
For Game 1 starting lineups, Turner is expected to lead off for Philadelphia followed by Schwarber and Harper; Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh are projected to fill outfield spots against right-hander Ohtani. For Los Angeles, Ohtani will be joined at the top by Betts, Teoscar Hernández, and Freeman.
In terms of bullpen management, Jhoan Duran will serve as closer for Philadelphia after being acquired at the trade deadline; Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering are likely to handle setup duties. David Robertson and Tanner Banks could be used earlier in high-leverage situations.
Los Angeles’ bullpen options for closing include Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen—who showed improvement during the Wild Card Series—and Roki Sasaki.
Key injuries may impact both teams’ strategies. Will Smith of the Dodgers is playing through a hand injury but may primarily serve as pinch-hitter; Tommy Edman continues to manage ankle discomfort that sidelined him twice this year. For Philadelphia, Wheeler’s absence looms large after recent surgery; Turner recently returned from a hamstring strain that kept him out three weeks late in the regular season.
Several players enter Game 1 on hot streaks: Betts excelled late in the season and during the Wild Card round for Los Angeles; Alec Bohm (.459 average over his final nine games), Brandon Marsh (.338 average in September), Bryson Stott (.313 average in September), and Harrison Bader (.341 average over his last 35 games) have performed well for Philadelphia down the stretch.
On less positive notes: Andy Pages remains hitless this postseason for L.A., while Max Muncy has struggled since returning from injury; J.T. Realmuto (.205 average) and Bryce Harper (.215 average over final 25 games) cooled off offensively for Philadelphia heading into October.
“Game 1 will be on Saturday…the exact time will depend on the outcome of the AL Wild Card Series matchup between the Yankees and Red Sox,” according to MLB scheduling information provided by league officials.
“All series are available in the US on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider,” according to broadcast partners.
“Sportsnet is MLB’s exclusive English language broadcaster in Canada for every Postseason game,” according to league media relations.
“TVA Sports will be covering…the World Series in French…Broadcaster RDS will cover…the NL Postseason in French,” per official broadcaster announcements.
