The Philadelphia Phillies kept their postseason hopes alive with an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night. Facing elimination, Phillies manager Rob Thomson addressed his team before the game, urging them to focus on the present and trust each other.
“I know I don’t have to say it, but I feel like I need to say it,” Thomson told his players before the game. “Don’t try harder, trust harder.” He emphasized the importance of staying in the moment and winning one game at a time.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto described the team’s mindset: “This is a resilient group. We knew that if we don’t win today, we go home.” Pitcher Aaron Nola added, “Crazy things have happened before when teams are down.”
After losing Game 2 at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies decided to start right-hander Aaron Nola for Game 3 despite his struggles during the regular season. The plan was for Nola to face the Dodgers’ lineup once through, then hand off to left-hander Ranger Suárez for multiple innings of relief. Closer Jhoan Duran was available if needed for the final outs.
The strategy paid off as Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run in the second inning, sparking Philadelphia’s offense. “Once Schwarber hit that home run, everybody got to breathe a little bit, let loose and from there on just play our game,” Realmuto said.
Nola entered with a 6.01 ERA from the regular season—the second-highest by any pitcher starting an elimination game in postseason history—but he delivered two scoreless innings with increased fastball velocity. “The regular season doesn’t even matter anymore,” Nola said. “Anything can happen in the postseason.”
Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham explained their approach: “You need to be a closer in the first inning… Go out and give your best. Don’t necessarily empty the tank, but pitch them hard.”
Trea Turner admitted surprise when Nola was pulled after two innings: “When he came out, I was like, ‘What are we doing?’ Because he looked really good… I felt he was back to his old self.”
Suárez took over and allowed a home run on his first pitch but settled down to give up only one run over five innings of relief—a feat achieved by only three other pitchers in Phillies postseason history.
Schwarber’s homer also led off a three-run rally in the fourth inning, and Philadelphia added five more runs in the eighth.
Bryce Harper noted, “I think a lot of us love playing in L.A.” The Phillies will send Cristopher Sánchez to start Game 4 as they attempt to force a decisive fifth game with Jesús Luzardo lined up if necessary.
Referencing past comebacks, Thomson recalled advice from former Red Sox player Kevin Millar: “Let me tell ya, don’t let us win today.” Thomson said this is how teams must approach elimination games: “That’s the way you have to feel. You have to feel that. There’s nothing else you can do.”
Kyle Schwarber summed up their attitude going forward: “We know it’s not going to be easy… But … we have the guys to do this, and we’re going to keep fighting and scratching and clawing for anything that we can get.”
