Shohei Ohtani's historic NLDS start takes sudden turn against Phillies
The Dodgers rallied from a 3–0 deficit as Teoscar Hernandez’s three-run homer lifted Los Angeles past the Phillies 5–3 in NLDS Game 1, with Shohei Ohtani striking out nine
Two innings into Game 1 of the National League Division Series, it looked like the Los Angeles Dodgers might get run off the field by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Citizens Bank Park was roaring, Shohei Ohtani, who returned to the mound for the first time in two years this season, had just been tagged for three runs, and Philadelphia was feeding off every roar from the crowd. But in what’s become their postseason calling card, the defending champions clawed back — and turned a rocky start into a statement win.
The Dodgers opened their 2025 NLDS with a come-from-behind 5–3 victory over the Phillies on Saturday night, showing once again the depth and resilience that fueled last October’s title run. It comes after Clayton Kershaw divided fans with a Pride Night statement before making his retirement decision.
What began as an electric but uneasy outing for Ohtani — his first postseason start as a pitcher — quickly turned into a test of resolve. In the second inning, he gave up three runs, including a two-run triple by J.T. Realmuto and a sacrifice fly from Harrison Bader.
The Phillies led 3–0, the stadium shook, and left-hander Cristopher Sánchez was cruising, holding the Dodgers to one hit through four innings.
Ohtani, however, steadied himself. After the early damage, he retired nine of the next 11 batters, escaping a two-on, one-out jam in the fifth and finishing with nine strikeouts and just one walk across six innings.
His start was historic even before the scoreboard caught up — he became the first starting pitcher to bat higher than sixth in a postseason game under the modern rules, hitting leadoff in Game 1, a feat unseen since Babe Ruth hit sixth in the 1918 World Series.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ offense began to chip away. In the sixth, after a Freddie Freeman walk and a Tommy Edman single, Kiké Hernandez ripped a two-run double down the left-field line, cutting the deficit to one and knocking Sánchez out of the game.
An inning later, the breakthrough came. With two outs and two on, Teoscar Hernandez crushed a three-run homer to right-center off reliever Matt Strahm, flipping the game — and silencing the hostile Philadelphia crowd — with one swing.
From there, the Dodgers’ bullpen held firm. Tyler Glasnow handled the seventh before Alex Vesia escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, getting pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa to fly out to center.
In the ninth, rookie sensation Roki Sasaki closed the door, striking out J.T. Realmuto and inducing a foul pop-up from Bryson Stott to end it.
The Dodgers’ win wasn’t just a comeback — it was a reminder of why they’re the defending champions. They survived the early chaos, absorbed Philadelphia’s best punch, and delivered one of their own.
Game 2 is set for Monday at 3:08 p.m. PT, with the Dodgers looking to take a commanding 2–0 series lead before heading back to Los Angeles.