The Dodgers are on the brink of a rarity for the 2024 season. They're one loss away from being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies. It would be only the second time this season they've been swept in a series of any length. The Reds took all three from Los Angeles in a three-game set in Cincinnati that wrapped up on May 26. That was also LA's fifth consecutive loss, marking the only time all year they've lost more than three in a row. A loss Thursday would be the fourth-straight loss for the Dodgers.
It's clear the Phillies are just better than the current iteration of the Dodgers. LA has a glut of talent on the IL that would certainly help them stack up better against the National League's top team. However, the Dodgers still have enough star power to steal the series finale if those stars can shine Thursday afternoon.
Shohei Ohtani is 3-for-6 with a walk in the series, but all three of his hits have been singles. Teoscar Hernandez is 1-for-6, and Freddie Freeman has yet to reach in seven plate appearances. Will Smith was 2-for-4 with a walk in Game 1, but both of his hits were singles and he struck out as a pinch hitter in Game 2.
That quartet alone could swing Thursday's game if they can manage a couple extra-base hits against Phillies starter Aaron Nola. Getting production from the bottom half of the order would be helpful, to be sure, but it starts with the All-Stars atop the lineup.
Unfortunately for LA they'll have an uphill climb to avoid the sweep with rookie Landon Knack taking the mound against Nola. BetMGM has the Phillies favored to snag the sweep:
Run line
Dodgers +1.5: -155
Phillies -1.5: +125
Moneyline
Dodgers: +125
Phillies: -155
Total
Over 9.5 runs: +100
Under 9.5 runs: -120
Prediction
Knack has been really good in seven starts this season, but Thursday's game will be by far the biggest game he's pitched in his career. He'll be looking to bounce back from his worst start as a pro last outing when he went just 4.1 innings and allowed four runs on four hits.
It's hard to bank on a rookie starter shutting down a very good Phillies lineup, especially when he's facing an experienced veteran like Nola who is holding opponents to a .209 batting average at Citizen's Bank Park this season.
It's also hard to bank on a Dodgers lineup that's been in a skid now for the last three games. They've managed only six runs in those contests. Perhaps the stars break out and carry the Dodgers to a win in the series finale. For now we just can't bet on it.
Phillies 5, Dodgers 3