Phillies and Dodgers Set for High-Stakes Series in LA
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to face off in a crucial three-game series starting Monday night in Los Angeles. With both teams leading their respective divisions in the Senior Circuit’s winning percentages, this matchup is set to be a highlight in the waning weeks of the regular season.
The Backstory
These two clubs last saw each other in early July, when the Phillies hosted the Dodgers and managed a stunning sweep. Philadelphia outscored Los Angeles 19-5 in that series, setting the stage for a closely watched rematch.
Heading into Monday’s series opener, the Phillies stand six games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in their division, while the Dodgers hold a 4 1/2 game lead over the San Diego Padres. Despite these leads, both teams have experienced a recent dip in form. Philadelphia holds a 13-17 record in their last 30 games, while Los Angeles has been 13-14 since the start of July.
Pitching Matchups
Monday’s opener will feature a clash of right-handers: Aaron Nola for the Phillies and Tyler Glasnow for the Dodgers. Nola boasts an 11-4 record along with a 3.43 ERA, underscoring his reliability on the mound. Glasnow, not far behind in performance, enters with an 8-6 record and a 3.50 ERA.
The series will continue on Tuesday with left-handers squaring off. Philadelphia will send Cristopher Sánchez to the mound, who has a 7-7 record and a 3.36 ERA. On the other side, Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw will seek to improve on his rough season start, currently holding an 0-1 record with a 5.87 ERA.
The finale on Wednesday will see Tyler Phillips of the Phillies facing off against Gavin Stone of the Dodgers. Phillips enters with a 3-1 record and a 4.39 ERA, while Stone holds a 9-5 record and a 3.63 ERA, making this matchup one to watch closely.
Roster Updates
Both teams made significant roster moves ahead of the trade deadline. The Phillies added outfielder Austin Hays, and relievers Carlos Estévez and Tanner Banks to their lineup. Los Angeles, not to be outdone, acquired starter Jack Flaherty, reliever Michael Kopech, infielders Tommy Edman and Amed Rosario, and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Notably, Tommy Edman has yet to make his season debut but is nearing activation, providing the Dodgers with an extra boost just in time for the series.
Approximately 10 or 11 of the 52 players anticipated to take part in this series were not with their respective organizations during their previous encounter, signaling significant roster overhauls and a potentially different dynamic this time around.
Series Implications
With just under two months remaining in the regular season, the stakes are higher than ever. Both the Phillies and Dodgers are keenly aware of the importance of maintaining their divisional leads. The head-to-head battles between these well-matched teams could have far-reaching implications, not only for their playoff positioning but also for establishing momentum as they approach the postseason.