The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are set to matchup in a heavyweight battle in the 2025 National League Division Series, which many believe will produce the eventual World Series champion.
Although the Phillies and Dodgers finished second and third, respectively, in the NL, both have a case as the most talented team in baseball. Excitement over the postseason matchup is not just shared among fans.
Players, coaches and executives for both clubs believe it’s going to be a memorable and high-intensity series.
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is also looking forward to the matchup because it represents the opportunity to not only defeat the reigning World Series champions, but also what he considers to be the model franchise in MLB.
“Obviously any team you play in the postseason is going to be a challenge, and you’re going to be excited to play,” Realmuto said.
“But playing a team like this, in my opinion, they’re the epitome of what a Major League team should be. They go out every year and try to win, their ownership is awesome, their front office is great. It’s an organization that the other teams look up to.
“And I see us as the same way. I feel this matchup is going to be a lot of fun and it’s good for the game to have these two teams going at it.”
The Dodgers have made the playoffs in 13 consecutive seasons, winning four NL pennants and two World Series in that span, while the Phillies have made the postseason in four straight years, winning one pennant.
Both organizations rank in the top of payrolls, with the Dodgers checking in at No. 1 overall with roughly $350 million spent and the Phillies coming in at fourth at about $290 million.
Both ownership groups and front offices have been aggressive in trying to win, and the Phillies also made a splash at the trade deadline by landing Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins.
Because of their dedication to winning, the Phillies finished with 96 wins and won the NL East, while the Dodgers won 93 games with the NL West crown. Now, only one team will get the opportunity to move on, and the other will be asking “what if we just advanced through the NLDS?”
Phillies manager expecting exciting series
Phillies manager Rob Thompson is no stranger to the postseason at this point in his managerial career, and he’s already been able to lead his club to the World Series in 2022. But as he looks to win his first ring, he faces a difficult roadblock in the Dodgers, and he expects it to be an exciting and well-played series for both clubs.
“Well, they are the world champions,” Thompson said. “And I think there’s a buzz every year that we come into this thing. Is there more this year? I don’t know, because we haven’t really dealt with anything yet. But as the series goes on, I think the buzz will increase.
“But I think both these clubs are really matched up well — good starting pitching, got a lot of thump in both lineups and very veteran groups. So I think they’ll be able to handle it.”
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