Here’s everything you need to know.
As one opponent once told skipper Rob Thomson, it's like four hours of hell.
The Pitching Matchup
The Phillies are turning to Cristopher Sánchez, the calm left-hander who has quietly developed into one of the most reliable arms in the rotation. He won’t grab headlines like his opponent, but he’s been steady enough to earn the Game 1 nod.
The Dodgers counter with Shohei Ohtani. This isn’t just any Game 1 starter. This is a two-time MVP making his long-anticipated postseason pitching debut in Dodger blue. For Los Angeles, Ohtani represents more than a pitcher — he’s their centerpiece, their spectacle, their hope.
So Saturday’s opener is more than a game. It’s Sánchez’s audition for stardom against Ohtani’s global stage.
It'll be fascinating to watch.
How to Watch and Listen
Fans won’t have trouble finding the broadcast. The game will air nationally on TBS, with simulcasts available on truTV and HBO Max.
Television booth: Brian Anderson will have the play-by-play, joined by analyst Jeff Francoeur, with Lauren Shehadi reporting from the field.
National radio: ESPN Radio carries the call, with Dave O’Brien and Jessica Mendoza.
Local radio: Phillies’ regional network affiliates will carry the home feed, while the Dodgers’ call will be on AM 570 in Los Angeles.
No matter your medium of choice, somebody will be in your ear when the Bank erupts.
The Series Setup
The NLDS is a best-of-five, with the Phillies hosting the first two games before the series shifts west. If it goes the distance, the deciding Game 5 will return to Philadelphia.
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 — Philadelphia, 6:38 p.m.
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 6 — Philadelphia, 6:08 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8 — Los Angeles
Game 4 (if needed): Thursday, Oct. 9 — Los Angeles
Game 5 (if needed): Saturday, Oct. 11 — Philadelphia
The message is simple: win early, because Dodger Stadium can be just as hostile.
Storylines to Watch
The opener is loaded with intrigue.
Ohtani’s October moment. He has never started a postseason game. The Dodgers are asking him to do more than pitch. They’re asking him to carry a franchise.
Sánchez’s big chance. The Phillies could have gone with other options, but they’re putting trust in the lefty to set the tone.
Why This One Feels Bigger
It’s Harper versus Ohtani. Sánchez versus a lineup headlined by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. It’s Philadelphia versus Hollywood, a backyard brawl against a marquee. In October, matchups like this aren’t just about advancing. They’re about legacies.
So when the gates open Saturday evening and the volume rises to ear-splitting levels, remember: this isn’t just Game 1. This is a collision of stars, stories, and cities. And it’s only the beginning.
How to Watch and Listen
Fans won’t have trouble finding the broadcast. The game will air nationally on TBS, with simulcasts available on truTV and HBO Max.
Television booth: Brian Anderson will have the play-by-play, joined by analyst Jeff Francoeur, with Lauren Shehadi reporting from the field.
National radio: ESPN Radio carries the call, with Dave O’Brien and Jessica Mendoza.
Local radio: Phillies’ regional network affiliates will carry the home feed, while the Dodgers’ call will be on AM 570 in Los Angeles.
No matter your medium of choice, somebody will be in your ear when the Bank erupts.
The Series Setup
The NLDS is a best-of-five, with the Phillies hosting the first two games before the series shifts west. If it goes the distance, the deciding Game 5 will return to Philadelphia.
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 — Philadelphia, 6:38 p.m.
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 6 — Philadelphia, 6:08 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8 — Los Angeles
Game 4 (if needed): Thursday, Oct. 9 — Los Angeles
Game 5 (if needed): Saturday, Oct. 11 — Philadelphia
The message is simple: win early, because Dodger Stadium can be just as hostile.
Storylines to Watch
The opener is loaded with intrigue.
Ohtani’s October moment. He has never started a postseason game. The Dodgers are asking him to do more than pitch. They’re asking him to carry a franchise.
Sánchez’s big chance. The Phillies could have gone with other options, but they’re putting trust in the lefty to set the tone.
The Citizens Bank Park effect. The Dodgers know it gets loud. What they don’t know is what it feels like when 46,000 Philadelphians decide it’s their mission to rattle you.
Rest versus rhythm. The Phillies have been idle with a bye. The Dodgers just played. Sometimes October is about who adjusts faster.
Rest versus rhythm. The Phillies have been idle with a bye. The Dodgers just played. Sometimes October is about who adjusts faster.
Why This One Feels Bigger
It’s Harper versus Ohtani. Sánchez versus a lineup headlined by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. It’s Philadelphia versus Hollywood, a backyard brawl against a marquee. In October, matchups like this aren’t just about advancing. They’re about legacies.
So when the gates open Saturday evening and the volume rises to ear-splitting levels, remember: this isn’t just Game 1. This is a collision of stars, stories, and cities. And it’s only the beginning.
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