NLDS vs Dodgers 2025

[mdougherty12]

Kerkering looked great last night. If he had pitched like that more frequently during the season, Robertson probably never enters the game.

[fish]

IMHO, after putting 2 on after 5 2/3, it was a good time to pull Sanchez

I was fine with leaving him in- the more innings they have get out of their bullpen would have only increased the odds of what eventually did happen. It seems like whenever they bring in a guy to get out of a jam they almost always give up runs when they send them out for a second inning.

[zambonir]

Kerkering had fallen behind Robertson in the pecking order but looked like the better pitcher in very recent SSS. But if Buehler and Nola aren't options (I don't see Walker as one) they both have to pitch in most close games if the starter can't go a full six. They obviously wanted Sanchez to get out of that inning and perhaps Kerkering would have had the 7th if fewer guys had come to the plate (with Strahm still entering for Ohtani, whether in the 7th or 8th).

Luzardo has been strong, but still not sure he gets to face Ohtani four times either.

[EastFallowfield]

Harrison Bader is in play for Game 2, Rob Thomson said. Exams showed no major groin tear or strain. He'll receive treatment today, then they'll see if he can start or at least come into game later.

[zambonir]

The other good news

> Orion Kerkering’s four-seam fastball averaged 99.5 mph in his scoreless inning Saturday. It was the hardest average velocity he’s ever had. He threw one of them at 100.3 mph — the first time he’d cracked triple digits in his big-league career.

> He retired the side on 10 pitches. He struck out Tommy Edman and Max Muncy.

> The Phillies had lost some trust in Kerkering during September as he struggled to command his fastball; he moved down the bullpen depth chart as a result. In a different world, he would have been the righty Thomson called upon to finish the sixth inning and begin the seventh inning instead of David Robertson.

> There’s a decent chance Kerkering has pitched himself into a bigger role.

> “Now it’s three or four outings in a row where he’s been really good and pounding the zone,” Thomson said. “He looks very confident right now. The breaking ball, he’s landing it in the right spot. That’s really good to see.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6691764/2025/10/05/phillies-dodgers-nlds-harrison-bader-blake-snell/

[dicemen99]

A game too late. That was a big one to lose.

[David_Criss]

If Bader can't go tonight, Marsh will be in center. Does Topper go with Kemp, Wilson or Kepler in leftfield? My vote would be for Kemp, but we shall see.

[zambonir]

Definitely not Kepler. My guess it is Wilson. Slightly better defense, or at least more experience, and they are basically the same bat though Kemp was far better in September, maybe that gets him the nod. He has only played LF twice in the majors since July though.

[BostonRoss]

Harper is probably not the same guy he was three years ago (few are at that age). In the last two weeks of the season, he was .211/.362/.316. I do expect him to improve (hopefully over many games this postseason), but he's arguably not a better hitter right now than Teoscar Hernandez at this point, and Teoscar is not one of the Dodgers' top three bats.

[zambonir]

Well, he's no Aaron Judge. Lots of talk about that era being over too.

"at this point" a key qualifier re Teoscar whose bat (though not his fielding) was more Casty-like (albeit, Casty when he was decent). Red hot now which is what we need from some of our guys.

I'm not sure Rob treated Game 1 as the big must-win it might turn out to be if we can't hit Snell. There is talk of Ranger being available tonight and Nola pitching Wed but why didn't he pitch in Game 1.

Hopefully the Luzardo who looked like an ace is there tonight.

[EastFallowfield]

No Bader in the lineup. And it's Kemp, not Wilson

Its the usual 3 at the top, then Bohm, JT, Casty, Sosa, Marsh then Kemp.

Source: phils instagram

[andyb]

A little surprised at Kemp though I guess they want offense against Snell who handled them pretty easily a few weeks ago.

Marsh has to play without Bader of course. Highlights how Rojas not being healthy has hurt their flexibility.

[VoteForKalas]

I thought Game 1 was very important too. We needed to smack the Dodgers in the mouth and puncture their veil of invincibility. Beating Ohtani was the perfect way to do it. We started well, but could not bring it home unfortunately and now the storyline is the inevitability of a Dodgers win in the series.

Tonight is a must win game IMO. You have to go to LA 1-1 to have a real chance to win the series.

This Dodgers team reminds me so much of the late 70's version. Phillies played hard, but Garvey, Lopes, Cey, Baker et al. were good and used that confidence to intimidate opponents.

[VoteForKalas]

Highlights how Rojas not being healthy has hurt their flexibility.

and not being good at the plate unfortunately.

[phillychuck]

Must win...going to LA 0-2 would be a mountain that we’d have to be insanely lucky to climb.

[zambonir]

I really thought Bader was going to play. Hopefully is available to PH. Not sure Rojas with platoon advantage is any better than Marsh or Kepler without, or if he really would have beat out Kemp or Wilson for the overall roster spot but easy to see the utility now.

I feel better today than I did after Game 1 last year. I guess because intellectually it is less surprising, and emotionally a little less annoying.

[andyb]

Not sure Rojas with platoon advantage is any better than Marsh or Kepler without, or if he really would have beat out Kemp or Wilson for the overall roster spot but easy to see the utility now.

Not at all about the platoon advantage. All about the defense.

[Sabin]

Observations from Game 2:

1. Another stong SP effort wasted.
2. But Snell was good, too.
3. Top of the order fails to do much damage again.
4. I question bunting to the 3rd base side in the 9th.
5. Bader was a great deadline acquisition.
6. So was Duran.
7. It's troubling not seeing many good bats coming up the pipeline given the age on the ML club.
8. Kudos to Castellanos for punching another down and away pitch to LF in the 9th.
9. Schwarber and Bryce (and Turner?) have to get hot to keep this series going.
10. Ultimately, the hot team wins. Until the 9th tonight, the Phils' bats haven't been that.

[Philsmania]

Talk about the 2025 NLDS and how we are feeling going into this against LA

Observation #1.

Blow it all up and rebuild.

[LoneStarPhan]

I’m wondering about using a starter in relief. What if Ranger comes in to start the seventh in either game 1 or game 2? Of course, we will never know. Results couldn’t turn out worse than bringing in the usual bullpen which failed to get it done both games.