The Los Angeles Dodgers were pummeled in Game 3 of the National League Division Series by the Philadelphia Phillies, but manager Dave Roberts is prepared to deploy every resource to avoid a Game 5. “This is a game that you go to win the game, you have an off day tomorrow,” Roberts said ahead of Thursday’s Game 4.
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Starting Pitchers Set the Stage
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Right-hander Tyler Glasnow will take the mound for Los Angeles after a strong regular season in which he posted a 3.19 ERA with 106 strikeouts over 90.1 innings. Glasnow’s postseason track record is mixed; in Game 1 he struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings in relief but has struggled under high-pressure situations. Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who started Game 1, will counter. Sánchez went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA during the regular season and struck out eight over 5.2 innings in Game 1. “It’s the same preparation for me,” Sánchez said. “I prepare myself in the same way for every game.”
Dodgers Lineup Adjustments
Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Teoscar Hernández lead the LA offense, while Will Smith starts in back-to-back games with Max Muncy sidelined against left-handed pitching. Ohtani has struggled through the series, going 1-for-15 with seven strikeouts and one walk. Roberts offered a candid assessment: “His decision-making hasn’t been good. You can see, it’s balls in/off, and he’s really not giving himself a chance to hit a mistake. The swing decisions are just not where they need to be right now.”
The Phillies have deployed left-handed starters Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, and Ranger Suárez, and Roberts acknowledged the challenge but emphasized Ohtani’s larger issue of swing decision-making. Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised Ohtani while acknowledging the pitching execution: “He’s that great of a hitter. But we have pitched him well.”
Bullpen and Closer Management
Roki Sasaki has emerged as the Dodgers’ primary closing option after back-to-back postseason saves, though Roberts stresses workload management. “There’s a buildup. He’s not going to close every game. You’ve got to use other guys,” Roberts said. Balancing rest and effectiveness will be key as the Dodgers attempt to suppress the surging Phillies.
Stakes and Outlook
With the Dodgers holding a 2-1 series lead, Thursday’s game is pivotal. Glasnow must find his rhythm, Ohtani needs to regain his plate discipline, and the bullpen must hold firm. Roberts is ready to “exhaust all his resources” to secure the win, highlighting that Los Angeles is fully committed to closing out the Phillies tonight.