The Los Angeles Dodgers began a 2025 National League Division Series rematch and potential look-ahead to the 2026 MLB Postseason with a matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
On paper, the Dodgers are a bit overmatched this series in the starting pitching department, and the first game played out that way as the Phillies took the series opener.
Phillies 10, Dodgers 7: key takeaways
Trea Turner revenge game
The Phillies hit five home runs, including two against Emmet Sheehan and one against Alex Vesia. Two of those long balls belonged to Trea Turner, who went 3-for-4 in the game with a double, two home runs, two runs scored and five RBI.
Turner first homered in the second inning, a two-run shot against Sheehan, that gave the Phillies a 4-0 lead. After the Dodgers started to scratch their way back, Turner broke the game open again with a three-run homer against Vesia to put the Phillies up 8-3.
It was his first multi-homer game of the season.
However, he also contributed to a few of the Dodgers’ scoring chances with his defensive miscues. Turner was officially charged with only one error, but should have had four.
In total, it was an up-and-down day for Turner, who had one of the better offensive days of his career, but also one of his worst on defense.
Emmet Sheehan remains inconsistent
Sheehan was able to pitch into the sixth inning, but he allowed six runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and one walk while also hitting a batter. Sheehan’s season ERA now sits at 5.13.
The Phillies got on the board first when Sheehan allowed three consecutive hits in the second inning, and then a sacrifice fly put them up 2-0 before Turner homered to double the lead.
Sheehan worked a few scoreless frames after that while the Dodgers continued to inch closer, but he allowed a leadoff home run in the sixth to Brandon Marsh and then a double to Bryson Stott.
When Vesia took over, he walked Derek Hill and then allowed the second homer to Turner. One of those runs was charged to Sheehan, while the other two went to Vesia.
Landon Knack pitched the final two innings, allowing a home run to Bryce Harper and Derek Hill.
Mookie Betts bounces back
Mookie Betts has been in an awful slump during July, but recorded four hits, including two home runs, in this one. Despite his strong day at the plate, the Dodgers’ offense only put up four runs as they went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position, left nine men on base, and hit into a double play.
Their first run came via that double play off the bat of Teoscar Hernández after the Dodgers opened the fourth inning with back-to-back singles from Betts and Miguel Rojas.
The Dodgers again had a rally in the sixth with singles from Betts and Hernández. Max Muncy pinch-hit and doubled home a run, then Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs.
Andy Pages hit a weak grounder to shortstop that Turner was unable to field cleanly, and it resulted in the third run of the game. Betts homered in the seventh inning to give the Dodgers their fourth run.
The fifth run came as another defensive mistake from Turner allowed Tommy Edman to single, putting runners at the corners. Eliezer Alfonzo then hit into a fielder’s choice to score the run.
After that, Betts followed with his second homer of the game to cut the deficit to three runs.
Betts was dropped in the lineup entering this game, and he responded with his first four-hit game of the season.
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