The Phillies and Dodgers have battled each other a lot in the postseason. Maybe it’s a good thing that their current NLDS series is off today because October 5 has not been friendly to the Phillies. Plus, a Happy Birthday to the second most famous baseball player from Millville, NJ.

Phillies Historical Events on October 5

  • On October 5, 1950, the Phillies lost Game 2 of the 1950 World Series to the Yankees, 2–1. Robin Roberts pitched well, but Joe DiMaggio’s 10th-inning home run sealed the loss.
  • On October 5, 1977, the Phillies dropped Game 2 of the NLCS to the Dodgers, 7–1. Burt Hooton silenced the Phillies’ bats, and the series shifted to Los Angeles with the Dodgers up 2–0.
  • On October 5, 1978, the Phillies were shut out 4–0 in Game 2 of the NLCS by the Dodgers. Don Sutton pitched a complete game, and the Phillies managed only four hits.
  • On October 5, 1983, the Phillies lost Game 2 of the NLCS to the Dodgers, 4–1. Gary Matthews homered, but the Dodgers’ pitching held the rest of the lineup in check.
  • On October 5, 2011, the infamous “rally squirrel” ran across home plate during Game 4 of the NLDS against the Cardinals. Roy Oswalt was distracted mid-pitch, and the Phillies lost 5–3, forcing a decisive Game 5.

Phillies Birthdays on October 5

  • Buddy Kennedy (born 1998): A utility infielder who joined the Phillies organization in 2024. Though his MLB time has been limited, he’s known for his versatility and local ties to Millville, NJ—same hometown as Mike Trout.

A Deeper Dive… Phillies and Dodgers Postseason Battles

The Dodgers and Phillies have met six times in the postseason, with each series offering drama, heartbreak, and iconic moments. The rivalry spans nearly five decades, from the late 1970s to the present day.

The first postseason clash between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers came in the 1977 National League Championship Series (NLCS). The Phillies, fresh off their first playoff appearance since 1950, won Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, marking their first postseason win in 62 years. But the series turned quickly. In Game 3, the infamous “Black Friday” collapse saw the Phillies blow a 5–3 lead in the ninth inning at Veterans Stadium. A misplayed pop-up, a botched double play, and a clutch single by Bill Russell led to a 6–5 Dodgers win. The Dodgers closed out the series in Game 4, sending the Phillies home with a 3–1 series defeat.

YOU NEED SOME PHILLIES “STUFF”

The 1978 NLCS was a near carbon copy. The Dodgers again took the first two games—this time in Philadelphia—behind strong pitching from Burt Hooton and Don Sutton. The Phillies won Game 3 in Los Angeles, but fell in extra innings in Game 4. Once again, the Dodgers advanced to the World Series, and the Phillies were left with bitter disappointment.

Redemption came in the 1983 NLCS, when the Phillies, led by Gary Matthews and Steve Carlton, flipped the script. Matthews hit three home runs and drove in eight runs, earning NLCS MVP honors. The Phillies won the series 3–1, including back-to-back 7–2 victories in Games 3 and 4 at the Vet. It was a sweet reversal of fortune after two painful exits at the hands of the Dodgers.

The rivalry lay dormant for 25 years until the 2008 NLCS, a series that helped define the Phillies’ golden era. Philadelphia took the first two games at home, then dropped Game 3 in Los Angeles. Game 4 became legendary when Matt Stairs, a midseason acquisition, crushed a two-run homer off Jonathan Broxton in the eighth inning to give the Phillies a 7–5 lead. The blast, described as “still orbiting,” became a rallying cry for the team. The Phillies won Game 5 to take the series 4–1 and went on to win the World Series—the only time the winner of a Phillies-Dodgers playoff series claimed the championship.

The 2009 NLCS was a rematch, and the Phillies again prevailed. Game 1 was a slugfest, with Philadelphia winning 8–6. Pedro Martinez pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2, but the Dodgers rallied late to tie the series. Back in Philadelphia, the Phillies dominated Game 3 with an 11–0 rout, and Jimmy Rollins delivered another iconic moment in Game 4—a walk-off two-run double off Broxton. The Phillies clinched the pennant in Game 5, with Ryan Howard earning NLCS MVP honors.

After a 16-year gap, the teams met again in the 2025 NLDS, marking their sixth postseason encounter. Game 1 featured Shohei Ohtani making history as the first player to start a playoff game as both pitcher and leadoff hitter. Despite a shaky start, Ohtani settled in and struck out nine over six innings. Teoscar Hernández hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh, and Roki Sasaki closed the game with a save, marking the first time two Japanese-born pitchers earned a win and save in the same postseason game.

While the Dodgers dominated the early matchups, the Phillies have won the last three series, flipping the narrative. The rivalry has evolved from heartbreak to heroics, with each October meeting adding new layers to the story. From Black Friday to Matt Stairs’ moonshot, from Gary Matthews’ redemption to Jimmy Rollins’ walk-off, the Phillies-Dodgers playoff history is rich with drama and unforgettable moments.