Aaron Nola Draws Elimination Game Start as Phillies Face Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of advancing to the National League Championship Series. They return home with a commanding 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Division Series.

So far, their formula for success has hinged on dominant starting pitching and well-timed hitting. That combo has helped them overcome a bullpen that’s been anything but steady.

Now the series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3. Can the Dodgers close things out, or will the Phillies finally wake up before it’s too late?

Dodgers’ Formula: Strong Starts, Timely Hits

September was rough for the Los Angeles bullpen, which posted a 5.26 ERA. Things have only gotten worse in the postseason, ballooning to 6.97.

Manager Dave Roberts hasn’t hesitated to lean on his starting pitchers, cutting down on the role of struggling relievers. He’s letting his starters carry the load deep into games, and honestly, it’s working so far—the Phillies’ offense hasn’t been able to break through.

Closer on Ice: Tanner Scott’s Absence

Closer Tanner Scott led the Dodgers with 23 saves in the regular season. But he hasn’t made a single postseason appearance yet.

Roberts seems wary of using him in high-leverage spots after some late-season inconsistency. Instead, he’s put his faith in his starters to take control from the first pitch almost to the last.

Yamamoto Takes the Spotlight

The Dodgers will send Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound in Game 3. The Japanese right-hander dazzled in his wild-card start and wrapped up the regular season with a stellar 2.49 ERA.

He’s shown precise command and a cool head under pressure. If he can work efficiently through the Phillies’ lineup, he might just help the Dodgers avoid dipping into that shaky bullpen again.

Phillies’ Offensive Woes

Philadelphia’s pitching has held up well enough, but their bats have gone silent at the worst time. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, two of their biggest power threats, are a combined one-for-14 in the series.

Schwarber’s slump stretches back to September, but with his raw power, the Dodgers can’t just relax—one mistake, and everything could change in a flash.

Facing Elimination: Aaron Nola’s Challenge

The Phillies will turn to Aaron Nola as their Game 3 starter. Nola’s season has been rocky with injuries, but he’s pitched well at Dodger Stadium before.

If he can find that old form, maybe Philadelphia can force a Game 4 back at Citizens Bank Park. That’s a big “if,” though.

Psychological Edge and Uniform Nostalgia

Trying to shake things up, the Phillies will wear powder blue throwback uniforms for Game 3. It’s a nod to their history, and maybe, just maybe, it’ll bring some good vibes.

Uniform changes might seem trivial, but in the playoffs, sometimes a little superstition or a fresh look can give a team a mental boost.

Potential Lineup Changes Add Drama

Both teams are reportedly mulling lineup tweaks that could change the whole feel of Game 3. The Dodgers might adjust their batting order to jump on Nola early.

The Phillies could shuffle things to give Harper and Schwarber a little more protection from the Dodgers’ pitching plans. We’ll see who blinks first.

Key Factors for Game 3

Here are the elements likely to decide whether the Dodgers close out the series or the Phillies keep their postseason alive:

• Yamamoto’s Control: He needs to avoid walks and keep his pitch count down. That gives the Dodgers a chance to save their bullpen for real emergencies.
• Phillies’ Top Bats: Harper and Schwarber have to spark some offense. The lineup’s been dragging, and someone’s got to light the fire.
• Nola’s Health and Command: If Nola locates his pitches well, the Dodgers might struggle to get going early. That could set the tone for the whole night.
• Defensive Sharpness: Both squads have to stay sharp in the field. One mistake could flip the game in this kind of playoff atmosphere.

Game 3 just feels like classic postseason baseball—so much tension, so many moving pieces, and you never really know who’ll step up. The Dodgers want to finish things fast and get some rest. The Phillies? They’re just fighting to keep the dream alive, hoping for that one big swing in momentum.

If Yamamoto looks anything like he did in the wild card and the Dodgers keep swinging the bats, Los Angeles probably wraps it up tonight. But if Nola locks in and Harper or Schwarber wake up at the plate, Philadelphia could force a Game 4. Honestly, it’s hard to see this one being anything but dramatic under those lights at Dodger Stadium.

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Here is the source article for this story: Facing elimination, Phillies put ball in Aaron Nola’s hands vs. Dodgers