NLDS Playoff Picture Tightens as Phillies, Cubs Force Game 4s
Both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs extended their seasons with Game 3 victories yesterday, setting the stage for crucial Game 4 matchups in the National League Division Series.
The Phillies face the Los Angeles Dodgers at 6:08 p.m. ET, with Cristopher Sánchez taking the mound against Tyler Glasnow. Philadelphia’s strategy hinges on a potent one-two punch of Sánchez and closer Johan Duran, potentially handling the bulk of the pitching workload. The Phillies scored five runs in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s game, preserving Duran for a potentially significant role in Game 4 and beyond. This series is particularly important as the winner will advance to the NLCS, potentially facing either the Atlanta Braves or the Baltimore Orioles.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are looking for a spark from Shohei Ohtani, who has struggled at the plate since Game 1 of the NLDS, going 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts. Despite a decorated career, Ohtani’s postseason batting average currently stands at .214. Later tonight, at 9:08 p.m. ET, the Milwaukee Brewers will travel to face the Chicago Cubs, though Milwaukee has yet to announce a starting pitcher. The Brewers’ bullpen was heavily utilized in Game 3, requiring manager Pat Murphy to carefully manage pitching resources. For more on postseason baseball, see MLB.com’s playoff coverage.
The Cubs’ offense, despite finishing fifth in the majors in runs scored during the regular season, has been largely silent outside of contributions from Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner. Key players like Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong have underperformed, raising concerns about their ability to contribute in high-pressure situations. The Cubs’ offensive struggles are a key factor as they attempt to avoid elimination and force a Game 5. You can find detailed player statistics at Fangraphs.
Managers for both the Phillies and the Brewers declined to comment on specific pitching plans beyond their Game 4 starters, emphasizing the need for flexibility as the series progresses.
