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, the Phillies earned a bye through the wild card round, and now they face off against the defending champions who swept their way past the Reds. It's a rematch of sorts, given the Dodgers' recent World Series pedigree, and fans in Philly are buzzing with that familiar October intensity.
Game 1 kicks off Saturday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m. ET from Citizens Bank Park, broadcast on TBS. The Phillies will send Ranger Suárez to the mound, looking to harness home-field advantage right out of the gate. Indeed, the series opener could set the tone early, especially with the Dodgers countering with their ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Then, on Sunday, October 5, Game 2 is slated for 5:00 p.m. ET, again at home for Philly. If the series tightens up, Games 3 and 4 shift to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 7 and 8, with times to be announced later. A potential Game 5 would return to Philadelphia on Friday, October 10.
This schedule, announced amid the wrap-up of wild card action, underscores the Phillies' strong regular-season finish at 95 wins, positioning them as favorites in a bracket that includes intriguing matchups like the Brewers versus Cubs. However, the Dodgers' resilience can't be overlooked; they've reached the NLDS for the 13th straight year, a streak that speaks to their playoff savvy. For Philly, it's about channeling that crowd energy and avoiding the pitfalls of a slow start, something that's tripped them up before in recent postseasons.
Moreover, ticket demand is already surging, with secondary markets lighting up faster than a Zack Wheeler fastball. The broader playoff landscape, featuring AL rivalries in Toronto and Seattle, adds to the excitement, but for Phillies Nation, this Dodgers series feels like the real test of their championship mettle.
As the first pitch approaches, one wonders if this October run will finally deliver the elusive World Series crown Philly craves.