Game 1 between the Dodgers and Phillies takes place today in Philadelphia, with Shohei Ohtani (in his first playoff pitching appearance) facing Cristopher Sanchez in the pitching matchup. Here is how each club has arranged their 26-man roster for the NL Division Series…
Dodgers catchers: Ben Rortvedt, Dalton Rushing, Will Smith
Infielders: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas
Outfielders: Alex Call, Justin Dean, Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages
Utility players: Tommy Edman, Enrique Hernandez, Hyeseong Kim
DH/right-handed pitcher: Shohei Ohtani
Left-handed pitchers: Anthony Banda, Jack Dreyer, Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia
Right-handed pitchers: Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, Blake Treinen, Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Phillies catchers: Rafael Marchan, J.T. Realmuto
Infielders: Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper, Otto Kemp, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner
Outfielders: Harrison Bader, Nick Castellanos, Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh, Weston Wilson
Designated hitter: Kyle Schwarber
Left-handed pitchers: Tanner Banks, Jesus Luzardo, Tim Mayza, Cristopher Sanchez, Matt Strahm, Ranger Suarez
Right-handed pitchers: Walker Buehler, Jhoan Duran, Orion Kerkering, Aaron Nola, David Robertson, Taijuan Walker
Los Angeles made two changes to the roster that swept the Reds in two games during the wild card round. Kershaw and Banda join the fray in place of left-hander Justin Wrobleski and right-hander Edgardo Henriquez. There was no doubt Kershaw would be returning to action after sitting out the Reds series, though in his final postseason appearance, Kershaw is slated to pitch in a relief capacity rather than in a starter’s role.
Smith hasn’t played since suffering a hairline fracture in his right hand on September 9, though the fact that the Dodgers included him on the wild card series roster indicates that the catcher is getting at least close to game readiness. Chances are Smith is ready to go at some point during the NLDS, though Rortvedt and Rushing are both on the roster to keep L.A. from being shorthanded behind the plate.
Both teams have plenty of big left-handed bats, which factored why each roster features six southpaws. The Phillies haven’t announced their rotation beyond Sanchez today, but Suarez is probable for Game 2, and using Luzardo in Game 3 would mean Philadelphia is tossing three consecutive left-handed starters at Ohtani and company.
News broke earlier this week that Johan Rojas was dealing with a quad injury, which removed any chance that the Phillies could put Rojas on the playoff roster following two months in the minors. The bench was instead filled out by two multi-position players in Kemp and Wilson, plus Sosa can play the outfield in a pinch.
Looking forward to this series. Both teams have great rosters.
Should be a good series, but LA wins in 4.
I don’t feel great about this match-up, but am willing to get my heart broken again. Go Phillies!!!
Getting your heart broken in the postseason is much much better than getting your heart broken missing the postseason.
Based on what ? Failure is failure
Would you rather be last years Yankees or last years Rockies?
Technically both failed to win the last game of the season.
The Phillies will get into the dodgirls bullpen early and often, ouch. The Phillies starting pitching is superior, bullpen double ditto. Phillies in 4 laughing.
Maybe Ohtani can take strike three right over the plate one more time.
You think the Phillies have the superior starting pitching? Teoscar just hit a three run bomb off the Phillies superior pen. Now it’s the Dodgers pen I have to worry about and have to wonder which Glasnow will show up; the dominant Glasnow or the Glasnow that will walk 5 people to go along with three wild pitches.
Okie dokie pokie.
The Phillies definitely do not have the better starting pitching without Wheeler. Even with Wheeler I’m not sure you can say that. And in a series like this with all of the off days it negates their bullpen advantage as well. I’m not a fan of either team but was pulling for the Phil’. After seeing how this first game went I think the Phillies get swept
Wrong!
Dodgers have the better starting pitching. Bullpen is suspect at best.
Jackson, you still laughing? This could be over in 3 games.
Actually, the Phillies starting pitching is anything but superior to the Dodgers. The bullpen is another story.
Skyrider123: More likely in 3.
When will mets announce their playoff roster?
Oh wait…
When their good and ready. Anyone can win the World Series in 2025 or 26. Winning in 2149 is actually what matters, I guess you’re not familiar with playing the long game.
chandlerbing: Meanwhile in Philly, it was the Mets last year and the Dodgers this year.
Time to stoke up that hot stove buddy. 🤣
I know the Mets just as well as anybody else, and I know that they’re not going to let an underwhelming 162-game season affect their postseason performance.
chandlerbing continues his weird and creepy obsession with the Mets, lol. What a dork.
Bea two teams in mlb. Winner of this goes to the WS . I’m taking the Phils though they have a knack for beating the betting favorite especially the dodgers . So many great memories from Phillies dodgers series .
The Dodgers will go with Snell on Monday and Yamamoto on Wednesday.
Dodgers have the better starting pitching depth, with Yamamoto, Snell, Ohtani and Glasnow, Phillies have the better bullpen. I give the Dodgers a 52% chance of winning. Ohtani, Freeman, Betts versus Schwarber, Harper and Turner. Will Smith on the bench. If you like stars, this series is must TV.
Dodgers lineup looks a little weak today.
love my Phil’s but still think our bats are two inconsistent to beat the dodgers starters. the 3 times we played them 2 weeks or so ago their starters shut us down. Hate to say it but DOdgers in 4
I can’t believe that Dodgers survived the bottom of the 8th without giving up a run. I wish Glasnow would learn some command.
Glasnow has always been the definition of “effectively wild.” He gets swings on curveballs that don’t even reach the plate.