{"id":107999,"date":"2025-10-04T17:49:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T21:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=107999"},"modified":"2025-10-04T17:49:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T21:49:46","slug":"five-questions-dodgers-division-series-vs-phillies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/10\/04\/five-questions-dodgers-division-series-vs-phillies\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Questions For the Dodgers as They Enter into the Division Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a rough ride in the regular season. Injuries<\/a> and poor play kept them from being the juggernaut most predicted them to be. The nadir of the year happened on an East Coast visit where the Dodgers went 1-5 against the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles. As a result, they lost any chance of avoiding the Wild Card round in 2025. However, since that horrific road trip, Los Angeles has gone 17-5, including a first-round sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. The road only gets tougher from here as they face the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series. Here are five questions that need to be answered if the Dodgers want to be victorious and advance.<\/p>\n

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Jun 18, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Kik\u00e9 Hernandez (8) runs to third on an RBI in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Five Questions for the Dodgers to Answer in the NLDS<\/h2>\n

Will the Dodgers Limit the Defensive Miscues?<\/h3>\n

In 2024, the Dodgers were the number one team in the majors in defensive efficiency. However, this season has been a different story. Los Angeles is in the middle of the pack in that stat. In the two games against the Cincinnati Reds, poor defense reared its ugly head again. A dropped fly ball and a missed double play were among the miscues that led to runs. The Phillies have a lineup full of offensive firepower, and if the Dodgers want to win this series, they cannot afford to give Philadelphia extra outs.<\/p>\n

Will the Dodgers Lineup Continue to Hit Phillies Starters?<\/h3>\n

Los Angeles will face three left-handed pitchers to begin the series. Will they be able to drive in runs when the opportunity presents itself? A few years back, the Dodgers struggled with runners in scoring position against left-handers. However, recent history has been kinder. Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a>, Ben Rortvedt<\/a>, Mookie Betts<\/a>, and Teoscar Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a> are all coming off the Wild Card Series in which they hit for at least a .400 batting average. Teoscar Hern\u00e1ndez also has multiple homers off Philly starting pitching. There is also the added dimension of plugging<\/a> Will Smith<\/a> into the lineup. He hit nearly .380 with runners in scoring position early in the season. The clutch gene must continue.<\/p>\n

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These Dodgers bats DOMINATED the Wild Card Series:<\/p>\n

Betts:
\n.667 AVG
\n1.700 OPS
\n3 RBI<\/p>\n

Ohtani:
\n1.400 OPS
\n2 HR
\n4 RBI<\/p>\n

T. Hern\u00e1ndez:
\n.400 AVG
\n2 HR
\n6 RBI<\/p>\n

K. Hern\u00e1ndez:
\n.500 AVG
\n1.125 OPS
\n1 RBI<\/p>\n

Rortvedt:
\n.500 AVG
\n1 RBI
\n1.167 OPS pic.twitter.com\/K1A4QZrw0Z<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SleeperDodgers (@SleeperDodgers) October 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n