The highly anticipated series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers kicks off Monday night in Los Angeles. As both teams sit atop the Senior Circuit's winning percentages, fans are eager to see how this three-game series unfolds, especially with just under two months left in the regular season.
Pitching Matchups
Monday's opener will feature a compelling pitching duel between right-handers Aaron Nola of the Phillies and Tyler Glasnow from the Dodgers. Nola, boasting an 11-4 record and a 3.43 ERA, has been a cornerstone for the Phillies' rotation. Glasnow, with an 8-6 record and a 3.50 ERA, has similarly been reliable for the Dodgers.
The series continues on Tuesday with a battle of the left-handers. Philadelphia's Cristopher Sánchez, who has a 7-7 record and a 3.36 ERA, will face off against Dodgers' veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, surprisingly, holds an 0-1 record and a 5.87 ERA this season, struggling to find his usual prowess on the mound.
The series finale on Wednesday puts the spotlight on Tyler Phillips of the Phillies against Gavin Stone of the Dodgers. Phillips enters the game with a 3-1 record and a 4.39 ERA, while Stone has been slightly more successful with a 9-5 record and a 3.63 ERA.
Team Performance
In their last 30 games, the Phillies have managed a 13-17 record, while the Dodgers have a 13-14 record since the start of July. Despite these middling performances, both teams hold a significant lead in their respective divisions. The Phillies are six games ahead of the Atlanta Braves, and the Dodgers hold a 4 1/2 game lead over the San Diego Padres.
Season Series
This week's games mark the second meeting between the Phillies and Dodgers this season. The Phillies hosted the first series in early July and swept the Dodgers, outscoring them 19-5. With such a dominant performance previously, the Dodgers will undoubtedly be looking for redemption on their home turf.
Rosters and Trade Moves
Both teams made significant moves before the trade deadline to bolster their rosters. The Phillies added outfielder Austin Hays, and relievers Carlos Estévez and Tanner Banks. Meanwhile, the Dodgers made a splash by acquiring starter Jack Flaherty, reliever Michael Kopech, infielders Tommy Edman and Amed Rosario, and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Tommy Edman, yet to take the field this season, is nearing activation, which could provide the Dodgers with an additional boost. Interestingly, approximately 10 or 11 of the 52 players anticipated for this week’s series were not with their respective teams during their previous encounter, adding another intriguing layer to this matchup.
As the Phillies and Dodgers prepare to clash once again, the series promises high-stakes baseball with each game having significant implications for their postseason prospects. Fans can expect intense competition, strategic gameplay, and perhaps some surprises from these top-tier teams.