Phillies Fight to Stay Alive Against Dodgers in Game 3 of NLDS

On a night heavy with anticipation and history, the stage is set at Dodger Stadium for Game 3 of the National League Division Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers holding a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, the Phillies return to Los Angeles with one mission: to keep their World Series hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Dodgers eye a sweep that would propel them one step closer to back-to-back championships—a feat not accomplished since the New York Yankees’ dynasty at the turn of the millennium. The game begins under the bright Hollywood lights at 9:08 p.m. ET/6:08 p.m. PT, broadcast live on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max. For fans seeking every pitch and every pulse-pounding moment, the action streams on ESPN with live scores, highlights, and updated stats, ensuring nobody misses a beat. Tonight’s matchup is a collision of ace arms and explosive lineups. For the Dodgers, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 ERA) brings his electric stuff to the mound. The Japanese sensation, a pillar of consistency since Opening Day in Tokyo, is coming off a dominant Wild Card Series performance and has been the only Dodgers starter not to miss a turn due to injury this year. He faces a Phillies lineup desperate for their stars—Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper—to ignite a rally. The trio has gone just 2-for-21 in the series, and if Philadelphia is to defy the odds, their bats must awaken tonight. For the Phillies, the embattled Aaron Nola (5-10, 6.01 ERA) gets the nod in a surprise move by manager Rob Thomson. While Nola has struggled this season, he’s trusted to set the tone—if only for a turn or two through the daunting Dodgers order—before handing the ball to lefty Ranger Suárez. With the season hanging by a thread, it’s all hands on deck for the Philadelphia bullpen. The Dodgers, boasting a healthy lineup for the first time this postseason, look to their core of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, and Freddie Freeman to keep the pressure on. Will Smith, returning to the starting lineup after a hairline fracture in his hand, symbolizes the Dodgers’ resilience—a battle-tested roster built for October drama. But it’s not just about the stars. The Dodgers’ bullpen, a question mark entering the postseason, has been anchored by rookie sensation Roki Sasaki, who has converted saves in the series and become the club’s most dominant relief option since returning from injury. Manager Dave Roberts, however, has ruled out using starters Shohei Ohtani or Blake Snell in relief, preserving their arms for possible later games. Injuries have cast their shadows, too. The Phillies sorely miss ace Zack Wheeler, sidelined after surgery, and outfielder Harrison Bader is limited to pinch-hitting duties. For Los Angeles, Will Smith plays through pain, while Miguel Rojas, nursing a hamstring tweak, is available off the bench. The atmosphere is electric, the stakes immense. This is the sixth postseason clash between these storied franchises, with memories of past October wars echoing through the stands. The Dodgers, with the highest payroll in baseball and a roster loaded with superstars, are on the cusp of another NLCS—and perhaps a date with destiny. The Phillies, with their backs against the wall, must summon every ounce of fight to stave off elimination. For fans and neutrals alike, Game 3 promises high drama, tension, and the kind of baseball that forges legends. Can Philadelphia’s big bats deliver a miracle? Or will Los Angeles, relentless and battle-hardened, sweep their way toward history? The answers unfold tonight beneath the bright lights of Dodger Stadium.