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In Game 4 of the 2025 National League Division Series (NLDS), on October 9, 2025, at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in a thrilling 11-inning game, clinching the best-of-five series by a score of 3-1.
The Dodgers, the number 3 seed, advanced to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) for the seventh time in the last 10 years, positioning them as favorites to return to the World Series as defending champions.
The game featured stellar pitching duels, a tying run in the final minutes via a walk, and a chaotic walk-off error that ended Philadelphia’s season in heartbreaking fashion.
Key Moments:
Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez and Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow traded scoreless innings in the sixth inning, with Glasnow escaping the early jams.
Philadelphia took a 1-0 lead in the seventh on J.T. Realmuto’s sacrifice fly.
The Dodgers tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh when Phillies reliever Jhoan Durán intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani to load the bases, but Mookie Betts also drew a bases-loaded walk.
Reliever Roki Sasaki dominated, with nine consecutive Phillies batters retired to force extra innings.
In the eleventh, with the bases loaded and two outs, Andy Pages’ dribbler to the mound forced an errant throw from Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering to home, allowing pinch-runner Hyeseong Kim to score the winning run.
This victory amplified the Dodgers’ postseason aura, solidifying their 2-0 series lead following victories in Games 1 and 2 in Philadelphia (4-3 and 4-3).
Despite a crushing 8-2 loss in Game 3, where Phillies ace Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez combined for seven innings of one-run ball, and the Phillies’ core (Kyle Schwarber’s two home runs, Bryce Harper’s hits, Alec Bohm’s, and Trea Turner’s) erupted with 12 hits, the Dodgers bounced back resiliently.
The win demonstrated their depth: Glasnow struck out eight in six innings, Sasaki emerged as a defensive reliever, and the offense capitalized on Philadelphia’s bullpen fatigue after heavy usage in Game 3. For the Phillies (second-place, 96-66 in the regular season), the loss exposed the vulnerabilities of their high-level bullpen and baserunning discipline, issues that had been simmering since 2022.
Kerkering’s error—with options to throw to first or second—gained immediate attention, as he squandered an opportunity to escape the jam. The series loss marked Philadelphia’s third consecutive NL Division Series exit, despite a potent lineup that averaged five runs per game in the regular season but only managed 12 runs in four games.
The social media uproar highlighted the drama: fans and analysts hailed it as “an instant MLB playoff classic,” with Phillies fans lamenting the “wasted season” and Dodgers fans celebrating the “gutsy” run.
For the Dodgers: They now await the winner of the National League Division Series (NLDS) between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs (tied 2-2 as of October 9).
A matchup against the Brewers would pit Los Angeles’ star power against Milwaukee’s pitching depth; against the Cubs, it could present a clash of young offenses. This positions the Dodgers for a possible World Series repeat, but bullpen management (for example, preserving Durán) and Ohtani’s steady hitting (0-for-multiple in Game 4) remain points to consider. The victory boosts morale in a city thirsty for titles since 2020, with ticket sales and local media coverage on the rise.
For the Phillies: The offseason begins with some soul-searching. Manager Rob Thomson’s decision to walk Ohtani and Kerkering’s gaffe will generate controversial opinions, potentially leading to bullpen adjustments or roster moves.
Stars like Harper and Schwarber (who broke an 0-for-20 skid in Game 3) showed flashes, but the team’s 3-9 playoff record since 2022 raises questions about their performance in October. Free agency looms for pitchers like Sánchez, and fan frustration—evident in the post-Game 3 optimism that turned to despair—could pressure owners.
The broader repercussions for MLB include higher ratings expectations for the National League Championship Series, with the Dodgers’ market drawing massive audiences. The error-prone ending drew comparisons to infamous playoff blunders such as the 2004 American League Championship Series (Yankees-Boston), underscoring the unforgiving nature of baseball.
This game encapsulated the essence of playoff baseball: low-scoring tension, managerial gambles (Thomson’s intentional walk backfired spectacularly), and unpredictable finishes that prioritize opportunism over perfection.
The Dodgers’ run reaffirms their status as the National League’s gold standard—deep, adaptable, and decisive under Dave Roberts—but they’ll need Ohtani and Freeman to prepare for a long run. For Philadelphia, it’s a bitter pill to swallow: a talented core fell short once again, proving that regular-season dominance doesn’t guarantee October magic.
As one analyst noted, “Baseball is a game of pace, and for the Phillies, it may not be too late this time” (the pre-Game 4 hopes were dashed). Ultimately, the Dodgers’ 2-1 win isn’t just the key to the series; It is a declaration that his dynasty endures, while reminding his rivals that mistakes can end eras.
