High-Stakes Pitching Duel Set for NLDS Game 3 as Phillies’ Southpaw Strategy Faces Dodgers’ Japanese Ace
The National League Division Series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3, locked at one game apiece, setting the stage for a critical matchup between two contrasting pitching philosophies. The Philadelphia Phillies, fully committing to their unconventional strategy, will send their third consecutive left-handed starter to the mound in Ranger Suárez. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers, riding the strength of their elite rotation depth, counter with their prized international acquisition, Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This pivotal contest promises a high-tension affair, with the winner moving just one game away from a spot in the National League Championship Series.
Phillies Double Down on Southpaw Attack with Ranger Suárez
Following impressive performances from fellow lefties Cristopher Sánchez in Game 1 and Jesús Luzardo in the Game 2 victory, the Phillies are entrusting the ball to the methodical Ranger Suárez. This move confirms the Phillies’ bold strategy of rolling out three straight left-handed starters—a rarity in modern postseason baseball—to disrupt the Dodgers’ potent offense. While the Dodgers, featuring left-handed power bats like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, are statistically one of the best teams in baseball against left-handed pitching, the differences in the Phillies’ southpaws are key to their thinking.
Suárez is not a hard-throwing strikeout artist like Luzardo or a power-sinker specialist like Sánchez. Instead, the veteran relies on pinpoint command, a diverse five-pitch mix (sinker, changeup, curveball, cutter, four-seamer), and an ability to minimize hard contact. His sinker, averaging around 90 mph, is all about generating weak ground balls and keeping hitters off balance—a true throwback style. This contrast in attack from the previous two games is what Phillies manager Rob Thomson hopes will prevent the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup from fully locking in.
Suárez finished the 2025 regular season with a stellar ERA over starts. His postseason experience and ability to navigate high-leverage innings, honed from his days in the bullpen, make him a formidable, if not overpowering, opponent. The pressure, however, is immense. The Phillies’ offense, which struggled to consistently put runs on the board in the first two games, needs a deep outing from him to keep the series momentum they earned with the Game 2 win.
The Dodgers’ Answer: The Electric Arm of Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The Dodgers will counter with one of the most exciting pitchers in the game, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Japanese ace, who was phenomenal in the Wild Card Series sweep against the Reds, brings a powerful, diverse arsenal that will challenge the heart of the Phillies’ order. Yamamoto’s signature pitch is a high-velocity, deceptive fastball complemented by one of the league’s best curveballs and a devastating split-finger fastball. His ability to change speeds and eye levels makes him an incredibly difficult at-bat for any hitter, right or left-handed.
In his previous playoff start, Yamamoto dominated, striking out nine while pitching into the seventh inning and confirming his status as an elite postseason arm. For Game 3, he will be tasked with stifling a Phillies lineup that, despite its potential, has been hot-and-cold throughout the postseason. The Dodgers’ strategy is simple: rely on Yamamoto to deliver a shutdown performance, buying their own star-studded offense time to adjust and ultimately break through against Suárez’s unconventional style.
The matchup features an intriguing contrast in styles: Suárez’s finesse and deception versus Yamamoto’s power and wipeout stuff. The result will likely come down to which pitcher executes their plan more effectively and which lineup can manage to string together a critical few hits.
Key Matchups to Watch at the Plate
The battle between the Phillies’ powerful right-handed bats and Yamamoto will be a must-watch. Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto, who have shown flashes of their clutch-hitting ability this October, need to be on their best against Yamamoto’s breaking balls. Likewise, the recently scorching Trea Turner, despite a slow start to the series, is due for a breakout performance at his new home stadium.
On the other side, the effectiveness of the Dodgers’ right-handed depth will be crucial against Suárez. While Ohtani and Freeman have historically handled left-handed pitching well (Ohtani with an OPS against lefties this season, Freeman with a OPS), the Dodgers have strategically stacked their lineup with right-handed hitters to neutralize the effect of three straight southpaws. Players like Teoscar Hernández, who delivered the decisive home run in Game 1, and the reliable Max Muncy will be essential in driving in runs.
Bullpen and Strategy Implications
With the series tied, both managers will be poised to use their bullpens aggressively. Dave Roberts, having already utilized several of his high-leverage arms, will desperately need length from Yamamoto. The Dodgers’ bullpen has shown moments of vulnerability this postseason, though the emergence of the electric Roki Sasaki, who closed out Game 1, offers a potent late-game weapon. A short outing from Yamamoto would force Roberts to lean heavily on the middle relief, potentially leaving them exposed for a possible Game 4.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson has managed his bullpen expertly through the first two games. The trio of lefties gives him flexibility, but the team’s reliance on their backend arms—like Jhoan Duran, David Robertson, and José Alvarado—remains high. If Suárez can give them six or seven solid innings, the Phillies’ path to victory becomes significantly clearer, allowing them to shorten the game and deploy their elite relief corps.
The tactical battle will extend beyond the mound. Will the Phillies’ baserunning aggression continue to pay dividends? Will the Dodgers’ defense hold up under the bright lights of their home playoff opener? Every pitch, every swing, and every managerial decision will be amplified in a Game 3 setting that historically dictates the outcome of a five-game series.
The Verdict for the Pivotal Game 3
Game 3 is often considered the most important game in a best-of-five series, as it either gives one team a commanding lead or forces the loser to face elimination in Game 4. The Phillies’ all-lefty approach has been a bold experiment, and Game 3 will truly test its limits against an elite right-handed pitcher like Yamamoto.
Ultimately, the firepower of the Dodgers’ offense, playing in front of their raucous home crowd for the first time in the series, provides a slight edge. While Suárez’s guile is undeniable, the ability of Yamamoto to consistently dominate and the sheer depth of the Dodgers’ lineup—particularly their ability to stack right-handed bats—is a difficult challenge to overcome. If Yamamoto pitches to his potential and the Dodgers’ left-handed stars like Ohtani and Freeman continue to perform strongly against lefties, the script may flip back in Los Angeles’s favor.
The stakes could not be higher. Expect a tense, low-scoring affair that will turn on a single mistake or a moment of clutch brilliance from one of the many superstars gracing the field. The winner takes control of the series, but the losing team will face an uphill battle to keep their World Series dreams alive. Baseball’s ultimate drama is set to unfold tonight in Los Angeles.