The Dodgers are coming to town to take on the Phillies in the National League Division Series. Leading up to the series, we’ll take a look at the two teams and how they compare in various areas of the game. We start with comparing two strong offenses.

Overview: Two Powerhouses Collide

The Dodgers and Phillies entered the 2025 postseason as two of the National League’s most formidable offensive teams. The Dodgers finished 93–69, while the Phillies edged them out at 96–66, securing the NL East crown and a first-round bye. Both clubs boast deep lineups, MVP-caliber talent, and postseason experience, but their offensive profiles diverge in key ways.

Run Production & Efficiency

The Dodgers edge the Phillies in most power metrics—especially slugging, OPS, and home run rate. Their lineup is built to punish mistakes, with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Teoscar Hernández leading the charge. The Phillies, while slightly more contact-oriented, still pack punch with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner.

Situational Hitting & Plate Discipline

The Phillies have a slightly higher BABIP, suggesting better luck or more consistent contact. However, the Dodgers’ superior walk rate and extra-base hit percentage reflect a more disciplined and dangerous approach. They force pitchers into tough counts and capitalize with power.

Speed & Aggression

Philadelphia’s edge in stolen base efficiency reflects their aggressive baserunning style, especially with Turner and Johan Rojas. The Dodgers, meanwhile, rely more on the long ball, hitting homers more frequently and generating runs in bursts.

Offensive Depth & Star Power

Dodgers:

  • Shohei Ohtani: MVP-level production, elite power and plate discipline.
  • Mookie Betts: Versatile, high-contact hitter with postseason pedigree.
  • Teoscar Hernández: Streaky but explosive, capable of carrying the lineup.
  • Kiké Hernández: October hero, heating up again in the playoffs.

Phillies:

  • Bryce Harper: Heart of the lineup, clutch performer.
  • Kyle Schwarber: High walk rate, massive power, low batting average.
  • Trea Turner: Speed demon, elite contact hitter.
  • Alec Bohm & Bryson Stott: Emerging contributors with gap power.

The Dodgers’ top three hitters rival any trio in baseball, while the Phillies rely on balance and situational execution. Harper and Schwarber provide thunder, but Turner and Stott offer table-setting finesse.

Head-to-Head Matchups

In six regular season meetings, the Phillies went 4-2 against the Dodgers, outscoring them and holding their offense to just 2.67 runs per game. Despite the Dodgers’ superior season-long metrics, the Phillies’ pitching and game planning proved effective in neutralizing LA’s power.

Despite the Dodgers’ overall offensive firepower, the Phillies consistently outperformed them in head-to-head matchups, especially in run prevention and clutch hitting.

Advanced Metrics & Trends

Los Angeles Dodgers: Ranked 2nd in MLB in home runs (244), 2nd in runs scored (825), and 1st in strikeouts (1,505). Their lineup is built for power and patience, but can be vulnerable to high-contact pitching.

Philadelphia Phillies: Ranked 5th in runs scored, with a more balanced offensive profile. Their ability to manufacture runs and exploit defensive lapses makes them dangerous in tight games.

Postseason Implications

The Dodgers swept the Reds in the Wild Card round, showcasing their offensive depth and starting pitching. Ohtani, Betts, and Hernández are already producing, while Kiké Hernández has emerged as a spark plug. The Phillies, meanwhile, enter the NLDS rested and confident, having won four of six against LA during the regular season.

Final Thoughts

The Dodgers possess the more explosive offense on paper – higher slugging, more home runs, and deeper star power. But the Phillies counter with better contact, baserunning, and head-to-head success. In a short series, execution and clutch performance often outweigh raw metrics.

If the Dodgers’ stars stay hot and their lineup continues to grind out at-bats, they can overwhelm any pitching staff. But if the Phillies replicate their regular season success and exploit LA’s bullpen vulnerabilities, they could once again prove that balance and grit beat brute force.