The Philadelphia Phillies are set to dive into the 2025 MLB playoffs with a high-stakes National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting this weekend. As the No. 2 seed in the NL, the Phillies earned a bye through the Wild Card round, and now they host the first two games at Citizens Bank Park. Indeed, the series kicks off on Saturday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m. ET, with Game 2 following on Sunday afternoon at 4:37 p.m. ET. Both initial matchups will air on TBS, putting the spotlight on this rematch of past playoff foes.
Moreover, if the series extends, it shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Tuesday, October 7, at 9:08 p.m. ET, with potential Games 4 and 5 on Thursday and Friday, October 9 and 10, respectively—times to be confirmed. The Phillies, fresh off a strong regular season, face a Dodgers squad that's swept their way here as the defending World Series champions. Key for Philly: Their home-field advantage could prove decisive in this best-of-five affair, especially with starters like Zack Wheeler likely leading off against LA's deep rotation.
However, the schedule's tightness leaves little room for error. Travel and rest factors loom large, particularly if the series goes the full distance. Fans in Philadelphia are buzzing, but the Dodgers' experience adds a layer of tension—after all, they've reached the NLDS 13 straight years. The Phillies' lineup, powered by stars like Bryce Harper, will need to deliver early. Indeed, this matchup revives memories of their 2021 NLDS loss, fueling a bit of that underdog fire despite the seeding.
Still, as the games unfold, one wonders how the Phillies' momentum will hold against LA's firepower in what could be another October thriller.