The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies meet again Monday night for Game 3 of their postseason series at Citizens Bank Park. Los Angeles tied the series 1-1 with a 5-3 win on Saturday, powered by another sharp start from Blake Snell. Both teams finished the regular season with 96 wins, and every matchup so far has been tight. First pitch is scheduled for 6:08 PM ET as the two teams continue one of the most balanced series of the postseason.
The Phillies have been a dominant home team this season, finishing 55-27 in Philadelphia, while the Dodgers were a modest 42-40 on the road. This series has showcased two of the most complete rosters in baseball, both with elite hitting depth and deep pitching staffs. Los Angeles has won six of the last ten meetings between these teams, but Philadelphia has taken four of the last six played at Citizens Bank Park. The winner of this matchup takes a key step toward controlling the series.
LAD Preview – Snell Looks to Stay Hot
Blake Snell will get another postseason opportunity after shutting down Philadelphia earlier this week. The left-hander tossed seven shutout innings with twelve strikeouts in that outing, and he enters this start on a dominant run. Over his last five starts, Snell has gone 4-1 with a 2.32 ERA, striking out nearly nine batters per game and holding opponents to a .198 average. He’s been especially tough against left-handed hitters, allowing just one extra-base hit in his last 25 such matchups.
The Dodgers’ lineup remains one of the most dangerous in the league. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts continue to drive the offense, which averages 5.14 runs per game. Will Smith has also been productive from the catcher spot, hitting safely in seven straight games. Los Angeles has hit 11 home runs across its last ten contests, showing both power and patience with a team on-base percentage over .340 during that stretch.
Defensively, the Dodgers have been solid. The infield defense has turned 18 double plays over the last ten games, and outfielders like Betts and James Outman have cut down multiple runners at the plate. In the bullpen, Evan Phillips has delivered key outs in late innings, and Alex Vesia has continued to perform well as the primary left-handed reliever. The Dodgers’ pen owns a 3.65 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, keeping them steady in close games. Los Angeles’ pitching depth could be a big edge as the series continues.
PHI Preview – Phillies Need Bats to Respond
Philadelphia’s lineup has gone quiet at times in this series, scoring just three runs in Game 2 after averaging nearly five per game during the regular season. Bryce Harper and Trea Turner remain key bats for the Phillies, but the team will need better production from the middle of the order. Kyle Schwarber and Alec Bohm went a combined 1-for-9 in the last two games, and J.T. Realmuto’s power has cooled since mid-September.
Philadelphia will hope for a strong start from Ranger Suárez if he’s healthy enough to pitch. The lefty has been reliable all year, posting a 3.89 ERA before his groin injury. He has limited opposing hitters to a .239 batting average at home, where his off-speed pitches play well in cooler night conditions. If Suárez cannot go deep, the Phillies’ bullpen could again be tested — something that has become a concern in recent weeks.
The Philadelphia bullpen has been inconsistent, with relievers allowing ten earned runs over their last three games. Jordan Romano and Jose Alvarado have both struggled with command, while Matt Strahm and Jhoan Duran have provided more reliable innings. The group has a season ERA of 3.78, but the number has climbed to 6.39 in recent outings. If the Phillies want to hold down the Dodgers’ bats, they’ll need early run support and stronger middle relief.
Betting Trends and Stats
Los Angeles enters this game with a 77-79 record to the Over, while Philadelphia is 73-80 on totals. Six of their last ten meetings have gone over the total, and both teams have scored at least five runs in three of the past five games. The Dodgers are 5-2 in their last seven road games against teams with winning records. Meanwhile, Philadelphia has gone 7-3 in its last ten home games following a loss.
Snell’s recent form has been the biggest betting factor. The Dodgers are 6-1 in his last seven starts, and he’s allowed just five earned runs in that span. The Phillies have seen more mixed results from Suárez, who has given up at least three earned runs in three of his last five outings. Given the pitching edge and deeper bullpen, Los Angeles has a statistical advantage in nearly every major category heading into Monday night.
Betting Prediction
The Dodgers are listed as -130 favorites, with the Phillies at +110 and the total set at 7.5 runs. Los Angeles has shown more balance in both the rotation and bullpen, and Snell’s dominance against Philadelphia gives them a clear edge. The Phillies’ lineup has not produced consistently enough to back them, especially with uncertainty around Suárez’s availability. Los Angeles should control the pace again behind another quality start from Snell.
Expect a close early game before the Dodgers’ bullpen and power bats take over in the late innings. Philadelphia’s bullpen fatigue and struggles with command could again lead to trouble in the seventh and eighth frames. The Under also holds some value given Snell’s recent streak of strong outings and the Dodgers’ ability to control tempo. Final score prediction: Dodgers 5, Phillies 2.
Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (+140) and Under 7.5
