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    Joe Rutland
    Joe Rutland
    Oct 8, 2025, 02:27
    Updated at: Oct 8, 2025, 10:01

    Editor's Note: Our original story had three postseason games listed for Wednesday. There are actually four games on Wednesday. Dodgers Roundtable regrets the error.

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    The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to finish off a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday night. Dodger Stadium will probably be rocking with Yoshinobu Yamamoto getting the start.

    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has Yamamoto in the right spot at the right time. Yamamoto has been outstanding this season for the Dodgers. He has consistently been one of the team's best starters all season long.

    Yamamoto is 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA and a WHIP of 0.99. He's recorded 201 strikeouts while walking just 59. Yamamoto helped the Dodgers sink the Cincinnati Reds in a National League Wild Card Series showdown.

    But Yamamoto will enter Wednesday night's game with the goal of going deep into the game. Should he reach the seventh inning against Philadelphia, then Roberts can turn to either Blake Treinen or Alex Vesia to work the eighth.

    Roberts should not have any reservation to bring Roki Sasaki out in the ninth inning. Sasaki has proven to be the true closer for the Dodgers right now. Going to Tanner Scott, especially in a game like this one, would not be a smart move.

    Still, Yamamoto has to come out throwing strikes. Expect him to get that job done, despite going up against Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper. Harper, though, has been struggling and he'll have to pick it up to get Philadelphia in the win column.

    For the Phillies, this is a must-win situation. Actually, should it get to Game 4, that's also a must-win situation for Philadelphia.

    The Phillies will send out Aaron Nola on the mound. He's not had a good season, posting a 5-10 record with a sky-high 6.01 ERA. His WHIP is 1.95 with 97 strikeouts and 28 walks to his record.

    Do the Dodgers have the advantage in Game 3? You better believe it. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and the rest of the Dodgers lineup are probably licking their chops hours before first pitch.

    Speaking of first pitch, that's scheduled for 9:08 p.m. Eastern.

    It will be part of an MLB quadruple-header with the Seattle Mariners looking to finish off the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of their American League Division Series at Comerica Park in Detroit. That first pitch is set for 3:08 p.m. Eastern.

    Meanwhile, the other National League Division Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs has a first pitch set for 5:08 p.m. Eastern at Wrigley Field. The Brewers also are in position to sweep the Cubs, too. In the other ALDS, the Toronto Blue Jays go up against Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees at 7:08 p.m. Eastern at Yankee Stadium.

    Seattle, Milwaukee and Toronto can all end their series with a win on Wednesday.

    Back to the Dodgers. Roberts has a bunch of hot hitters right now. His lineup should be pretty much consistent to the previous two games in the NLDS. 

    The Dodgers have one goal: Repeat as World Series champions.

    Winning on Wednesday night will put them in the National League Championship Series for the second straight season.

    That's what Dodgers Nation wants to see happen.