When Blake Snell, starting pitcher for Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a six‑inning, one‑hit shutout, the Game 2 of the 2025 NLDS tipped in the Dodgers’ favor. The showdown unfolded at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night, October 6, 2025, and left Philadelphia fans clutching their seats as the Dodgers stole a 2‑0 series lead.
Game‑by‑Game Recap
The night started at 9:08 p.m. Eastern, and the early innings were a dead‑heat. Neither side managed a run through the first six frames, and the scoreboard remained a mute 0‑0. Then came the seventh inning, when Kiké Hernández rolled a quirky 35.4 mph dribbler just past the mound, nudging Teoscar Hernández home for the game’s first run.
That lone run held up until the ninth, when the Phillies tried to pull a rabbit out of a hat. They rattled two runs with no outs, and the crowd thought the tide might be turning. But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called in a three‑man bullpen: Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia and Roki Sasaki. They fanned out the Phillies hitters, and Freddie Freeman capped the night with a glove‑to‑glove throw that froze any hope of a comeback.
The final box read 4‑3 Dodgers, a razor‑thin margin that felt like a victory and a warning in one breath.
Key Performances and Tactical Moves
Snell’s line—six scoreless innings, one hit, three strikeouts—placed him alongside Walker Buehler, who posted a similar feat back in Game 1 of the 2019 NLDS. It was the second time in Dodgers postseason lore that a starter tossed a six‑plus inning, sub‑two‑hit effort.
On the other side, Phillies skipper Rob Thomson (affectionately dubbed “Topper” on fan forums) wrestled with his bullpen choices. He flirted with a spot start from Jesús Luzardo but ultimately settled on using him in relief, a decision that paid off—just not enough to swing the result.
Freddie Freeman’s defensive heroics deserve a paragraph of their own. In the bottom of the ninth, with the Phillies threatening, the ball ricocheted off the dirt and headed straight for the bag. Freeman, in true gold‑glove fashion, scooped it cleanly and threw the runner out, sealing the win. As a YouTube highlight reel shouted, “Freddie Freeman just saved game two for the Dodgers—he owes Tom Edman a steak dinner.”
Historical Context and Statistics
- Teams that go up 2‑0 in a best‑of‑five series win 88.9% of the time (80 of 90 series).
- Since the NLDS adopted the 2‑2‑1 format, road‑winning teams in Games 1 & 2 have advanced 16 of 18 times.
- Snell’s six‑inning, one‑hit start is only the second such performance in Dodgers postseason history.
- The Phillies finished the regular season 96‑66, with a 41‑40 record on the road.
- The Dodgers, despite the away victories, held home‑field advantage for the series.
Game 3, shifted to Dodger Stadium on October 8, saw the Phillies avoid a sweep. Kyle Schwarber belted two homers, including a 455‑foot monster that joined Willie Stargell as only the second player to clear the right‑field pavilion at the venue.
Schwarber’s long ball was a 96‑mph fastball from Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Shortstop Trea Turner later quipped, “It’s ridiculous how far that ball went. Sometimes you just have to build off moments like that.”
Impact and What’s Next
The Dodgers now sit one win away from the National League Championship Series. With a 3‑1 series victory secured, they’ll face the winner of the other NLDS—likely the Atlanta Braves or the Milwaukee Brewers—come early November.
If the Dodgers carry their road‑winning swagger into the NLCS, history suggests they’ve got a solid shot at the pennant. The real question: can their bullpen hold up against the next opponent’s power batters? And will the Phillies regroup after a painful Game 3 loss? Their season record tells us they’re capable of turning a deficit into momentum.
For the Dodgers’ fanbase, the takeaway is simple: keep the belief alive. A 2‑0 lead in a short series is a cushion, not a guarantee. But with Snell’s lights‑out start and Roberts’ strategic bullpen calls, the Dodgers have built a foundation that could sustain another round of postseason pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Dodgers’ 2‑0 lead affect the Phillies’ chances of winning the series?
Statistically, teams up 2‑0 in a best‑of‑five series win nearly 89% of the time. The Phillies must win three of the next four games, a daunting task that will likely require a pitching overhaul and more run production.
What made Blake Snell’s performance stand out historically?
Snell’s six‑inning, one‑hit shutout is only the second such outing in Dodgers postseason history, matching the 2019 effort by Walker Buehler. It highlighted his command and the effectiveness of the Dodgers’ rotation in high‑leverage games.
Why was Kyle Schwarber’s homer in Game 3 considered historic?
The 455‑foot shot cleared the right‑field pavilion at Dodger Stadium, making Schwarber only the second player—after Willie Stargell in the late 1960s and early 1970s—to hit a ball out of that iconic structure in a postseason game.
What adjustments might Rob Thomson consider for the remaining games?
Thomson may need to tighten his bullpen usage, perhaps front‑loading his relievers to prevent late‑inning collapses. He could also look to spark the offense with more aggressive base‑running and targeted matchups against the Dodgers’ left‑handed relievers.
When and where is the NLCS scheduled to begin?
If the Dodgers advance, the National League Championship Series will kick off in early November, with the exact dates and venues to be announced after the conclusion of the NLDS on October 12.