Early-season playoff preview? Four key storylines for Los Angeles Dodgers-Philadelphia Phillies weekend clash

Two National League heavyweights will collide in a three-game series beginning Friday as the 8-0 Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Philadelphia to face the 5-1 Phillies.

It might only be the beginning of April, but Citizens Bank Park will have an October feel this weekend. Let’s examine the top storylines heading into this Dodgers-Phillies matchup.

Will the Dodgers’ winning streak finally come to an end?

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers — Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Dodgers remain undefeated as they head into Philadelphia for this pivotal series.

They have already notched six comeback wins in their first eight games, including Wednesday night when Shohei Ohtani delivered a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the ninth against the winless Atlanta Braves — and on his bobblehead night, no less.

They are the first defending champions to start the season 8-0. Will the Phillies be able to add a game or two to the Dodgers’ loss column this weekend?

How will Roki Sasaki fare in third start of season?

Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles Dodgers — Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

It’s been a rough start to Roki Sasaki’s first season in the big leagues.

Through his first two games, he’s walked nine over 4⅔ innings, with five strikeouts and a 5.79 ERA. In his U.S. debut at Dodger Stadium, he was seen with tears in his eyes after getting pulled following 1⅔ innings against the Detroit Tigers.

If Sasaki falters, Phillies fans will immediately get on him and try to rattle the young phenom. If it’s an early exit once again, the Dodgers might need to consider letting the 23-year-old get straightened out in the minors.

Can the Phillies offense put up runs in the beginning of the game?

Philadelphia Phillies — Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Phillies have scored 33 runs in their first six games — averaging just over five runs per contest.

However, they’ve only scored six runs off starters. It’s also the first time since 1963 that the Phillies haven’t scored a run through the first three innings in their first six games of the season.

During Wednesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, the Phillies had the bases loaded twice without coming away with a run. They will need to put runs on the board early if they want to beat the Dodgers.

Can Phillies’ pitching shutdown Dodgers’ bats?

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies — Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

The Phillies will send Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sanchez to the mound to quiet the Dodgers’ offense. Luzardo had an incredibly impressive debut with the Phillies, striking out 11 in five innings while giving up two runs against the Washington Nationals.

Sanchez, a first-time All-Star in 2024, also had a stellar first start of the season, striking out seven in 5⅓ innings and giving up only one run against the Rockies.

Nola, though, gave up two home runs and five earned runs in his 2025 debut while facing the Nationals. The Phillies will need these three at their best to keep the Dodgers — who have scored 45 runs in eight games — at bay.

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