The Philadelphia Phillies made some costly decisions in their 5-3 NLDS Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. One team was going to head into a crucial Game 2 needing a win in the best-of-five Divisional Series, and after Saturday's loss that team is the Phillies. The worst part is that they were in command until Los Angeles cut a 3-0 deficit to 3-2 in the sixth inning.
Philadelphia will need to correct its mistakes and avoid losing both home games at Citizens Bank Park. The unthinkable may become reality for Phillies fans as they find themselves in a must-win situation in Game 2 on Monday.
2 costly decisions in Game 1 that put the Phillies behind the 8-ball in the NLDS
Using David Robertson instead of Walker Buehler first out of the bullpen
Reliever David Robertson did a little better in his final two appearances at the end of the regular season. However, his performance during September was not as good compared to his excellent August. He allowed seven earned runs in 11 outings, including five runs in four of his five appearances from Sept. 9-23.
So why did Phillies manager Rob Thomson choose to use Robertson in the game as the first reliever once he took Cristopher Sánchez out of the game in the sixth inning? While Robertson is more experienced and the Phillies signed him to be one of their top relievers for the playoffs, he may not have been the best option.
The veteran executed the final out in the sixth inning. However, he allowed two runners on base to start the seventh and was removed. The Dodgers proceeded to take a two-run lead on Teoscar Hernández's three-run home run off reliever Matt Strahm. If Thomson wanted to use a right-hander in relief of the lefty Sánchez, why not use the former Dodger himself, Walker Buehler?
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts turned to starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow as a reliever in the seventh once Game 1 starter Shohei Ohtani's night pitching was complete after six innings. Thomson's choice to turn to a pitcher who had not been pitching in Robertson, as opposed to Buehler, who excelled down the stretch with Philly, turned out to be the wrong decision.
Top of the Phillies' lineup was too aggressive at the plate
The top of the Phillies lineup came up small in the first contest of the NLDS. Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper went a combined 1-for-11 with six strikeouts in Game 1 versus the Dodgers. If Philadelphia is going to defeat Los Angeles in the NLDS, let alone win the World Series, this needs to change.
Ohtani pitched a solid game. He had Phillies batters off balance in Game 1 following J.T. Realmuto's two-run triple in the second inning. The Phillies tend to be too aggressive, particularly at home. They are overly eager to send Citizens Bank Park into a frenzy with home runs. That can be a recipe for disaster during the playoffs.
After a leadoff home run in the first inning by Schwarber during Game 1 of the 2024 NLDS against the New York Mets, the Phillies were unable to muster any offense for the remainder of the game. Philly fans know how that game and series turned out. Game 1 of the 2025 NLDS versus the Dodgers had a similar vibe based on the result.
The fan base is hoping the Phillies do not lose in the NLDS for a second consecutive season. If they're going to advance further in the playoffs, Turner, Schwarber and Harper need to lead the way for the offense beginning in Game 2.