The Philadelphia Phillies and their fans were patiently waiting this week to find out who their opponent will be for the National League Division Series. It only took two games for the Los Angeles Dodgers to eliminate the upstart Cincinnati Reds who somehow slipped past the New York Mets into the No. 6 seed.
Now that the No. 3 seed Dodgers have taken care of business, they're coming to Philadelphia where the Phillies will play host with home field advantage for the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park. We already knew the days that the Phillies would be playing in the best-of-five series, beginning on Saturday, but now that they have an opponent, we know the times as well.
All game times now set for Phillies-Dodgers NLDS
The NLDS gets underway on Saturday, Oct. 4 with Game 1 scheduled for 6:38 p.m. ET. It's a perfect time for those on the East Coast — what's better than spending a Saturday evening hunkered down watching the Phillies kick off Red October at The Bank?
Sunday is a scheduled off day, giving both teams a chance to reset. Hopefully it gives Phillies fans a chance to revel in a Game 1 victory, rather than having to sit with a loss for close to 48 hours.
The Phillies and Dodgers will stick around Philly for Game 2 of the NLDS, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 6 at 6:08 p.m. ET. Another perfect timeslot. Everyone has a chance to get home from school or work, or whatever, and settle in for another primetime matchup. Meanwhile Dodgers fans out on the West Coast will have to rearrange their day to make sure they're ready for what will be a 3:08 p.m. PT first pitch.
Tuesday is a travel day, as both teams fly out to the West Coast for at least one game at Dodger Stadium. Game 3 of the NLDS is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 9:08 p.m. ET.
Since it's a best-of-five series, one or both of Games 4 and 5 might not be necessary. If they are needed, Game 4 will go on Thursday, Oct. 9 at Dodger Stadium with first pitch at 6:08 p.m. ET (it could also move to 7:08 p.m. ET). A deciding Game 5 will happen back in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8:08 p.m. ET, if it happens.
The Phillies won the season series 4-2 against the Dodgers. Their success against the NL West division winners included celebrating the NL East-clinching win at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15.
The Phillies have left-hander Cristopher Sánchez lined up to start Game 1, with fellow lefties Ranger Suárez and Jesús Luzardo likely ready to follow in Games 2 and 3. Veteran righty Aaron Nola will most likely head to the bullpen.
The Dodgers will be countering with Shohei Ohtani in Game 1. Lefty Blake Snell will likely follow in Game 2, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 3. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also has starting right-handers Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan at his disposal.
Get ready, Red October is almost here!