Phillies @ Dodgers – NLDS Game 3: Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks to pitch the Dodgers into the NLCS, Will Smith returns to the lineup

The Dodgers return home for Game 3 of the 2025 NLDS against the Phillies looking for a sweep after taking two close affairs in a row in Philadelphia.

Game 3.

Tonight’s #Dodgers NLDS lineup vs. Phillies: pic.twitter.com/RNQhowsSHG

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 8, 2025

Here we go now#RedOctober pic.twitter.com/OQXFkZ5v6U

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 8, 2025

They Dodgers have a huge advantage in the pitching matchup in Game 3 with Yoshinobu Yamamoto facing off against Aaron Nola with Ranger Suarez‘s status still unclear despite what the Phillies say. While this is literally a must-win game for the Phillies, the Dodgers would be best to suffocate any momentum the Phillies could get, as this will be their best chance to win the rest of the hypothetical series.

In terms of the lineup, the big news for the Dodgers is that Will Smith is back and starting, and everything else is aligned as if the Dodgers think Suarez might be entering early at some point. The Phillies will be running out a familiar alignment, though Harrison Bader is still out and Nick Castellanos will play instead.

No Harrison Bader in the Game 3 lineup. Same situation; he could pinch-hit.

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 8, 2025

——

Not a ton of news before the game, but Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, and Blake Snell understandably won’t be available tonight.

The Dodgers obviously would like to win tonight and cap the series, but don’t expect Tyler Glasnow (who would start tomorrow), Shohei Ohtani or Blake Snell (who could replace their throw days with a relief outing) to be available to pitch tonight, per Dave Roberts.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 8, 2025

They might need a pen arm outside of Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, and Alex Vesia to step up.

======

Game time is 3:08 PM HT/6:08 PM PT/9:08 PM ET on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max.

Let’s go.