Dodgers vs. Phillies: Trust Eye Test, Position-by-Position Advantages

Here we go. The two winningest teams in baseball over the past two seasons (191 victories each) are finally about to smack into each other in the NLDS. Obviously, it’s not the NLCS, or the World Series, but who really gives a shit?

This feels like a championship fight happening one round early and really, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

It’s Dodgers vs. Phillies. Shohei Ohtani vs. Kyle Schwarber. Freddie Freeman vs. Bryce Harper. Jhoan Duran vs. whatever duct tape the Dodgers are calling a bullpen.

Phillies vs. Dodgers: 5 things that actually matter in the NLDS

TRUST THE EYE TEST. WE’RE GOING POSITION BY POSITION.

Catcher: JT Realmuto vs. Will Smith

Smith was tearing the cover off the ball until his hand broke and his season fell apart. Realmuto started cold, then found life, and at least he’s still standing. Dodgers fans can spin it how they want. Until Smith proves he’s healthy, he’s not JT Realmuto.

Advantage: Phillies

First Base: Bryce Harper vs. Freddie Freeman

Probably the most difficult head-to-head on the board. Two future Hall of Famers. Freddie Freeman, somewhat of a Phillies killer, had the cleaner finish to the season, but Bryce Harper had the stronger second half. Both guys are terrifying in October but if we’re being brutally honest, there’s only one of them that I truly consider a Playoff Riser.

That man of course, is Bryce Harper.

Advantage: Phillies (barely)

Second Base: Bryson Stott vs. Dodgers Platoon

Miguel Rojas? Tommy Edman limping around on a bad ankle? Cute.

Meanwhile, Stott turned into a new man after becoming a dad in July, slugging like Chase Utley reincarnated. Call it dad strength, call it pulling the ball more, call it whatever you want. Bryson Stott is a weapon again and he’s had more than a few clutch moments in the postseason over the past few years that makes this pick an easy one.

Advantage: Phillies

Shortstop: Trea Turner vs. Mookie Betts

On paper, Turner beats him. He’s faster, better bat this year and a very improved glove. Turner would clear the head-to-head but that late hamstring injury is an area of concern. While Trea says that he’s basically 100%, nobody knows how operational that makes him when the NLDS begins on Saturday.

Healthy Turner is the guy. The jury is still out.

Advantage: Dodgers

Third Base: Alec Bohm vs. Max Muncy (or musical chairs)

Healthy Muncy can mash, no doubt. Unfortunately, he’s a mess against lefties, and the Phillies are rolling out three southpaw starters to kick things off in the NLDS. The Dodgers may have to shuffle in Enrique Hernández or Rojas.

Meanwhile, Bohm woke up after April and hit over .300 the rest of the way. Consistency beats chaos.

Advantage: Phillies

Left Field: Brandon Marsh vs. Dodgers’ Grab Bag

Brandon Marsh went from looking lost in April to quietly becoming one of the most underrated outfielders in baseball. The Dodgers are out here asking if Alex Call starts playoff games.

It’s a mess in Los Angeles out in left.

Advantage: Phillies

Center Field: Harrison Bader vs. Andy Pages

I called it, the rest of Phillies nation quickly learned. Harrison Bader showed up midseason and turned into an instant fan favorite. He carries an elite glove, .300+ average, nonstop energy that this Phillies lineup desperately needed post-deadline.

Sure, he cooled off at the end, but Pages wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire either.

Advantage: Phillies

Right Field: Max Kepler/Nick Castellanos vs. Teoscar Hernández

I don't care what they tell you, Nick Castellanos has been and will always be extremely high on the Red October Trust Tree. https://t.co/kI41NcykAQ

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) October 3, 2025

The graphic and my comments above tell you everything you need to know.

Nick Castellanos sits very high on the Red October Trust Tree. Sure, he got benched against righties, Kepler perked up late, and there’s no denying Teoscar’s power surge in October but he’s streaky as hell.

The Trust Tree holds true. Nick Castellanos will have his moment. One way or another.

Advantage: Phillies

Designated Hitter: Kyle Schwarber vs. Shohei Ohtani

Schwarber hit 56 homers. Ohtani hit 55. But Ohtani also runs, gets on base more, and slugs harder. As much as it hurts to say, the edge belongs to the guy who’s half-God, half-LA billboard.

Advantage: Dodgers (Barely)

Starting Rotation

Cristopher Sánchez might win the Cy Young. Jesús Luzardo was the steal of the offseason. Yamamoto, Ohtani, Snell on the other side is absolute firepower.

This series is going to feature some of the filthiest pitching matchups you’ll ever see. The Dodgers’ arms just had a record-breaking September.

Right now, they’ve got the slight edge.

Advantage: Dodgers

Bullpen

The Dodgers’ bullpen is a horror show. The Reds got to them in the Wild Card round, and LA is desperately duct-taping starters into relief roles. The Phillies, meanwhile, can hand the ball to Duran, the nastiest closer in October, and sleep at night. That’s the difference.

Advantage: Phillies

Phillies win the NLDS in 5

This is as evenly matched as it gets. Same win totals over two years. Star power everywhere. Elite arms on both sides. The Phillies have home-field advantage, the better closer, and the experience of surviving playoff chaos.

Phillies in 5.

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