The Philadelphia Phillies will look to bounce back and win the series when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 22, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park. After a heartbreaking 2-1 loss just the night before, Philadelphia faces a crucial test against a formidable National League foe. With the Phillies sitting at 56-46 on the season, three games behind the Atlanta Braves and leading the National League East, every game against a top-tier opponent like Los Angeles represents a vital opportunity to prove their mettle and gain momentum.
The Dodgers enter South Philadelphia with an impressive 64-38 record, but are just 3-2 in their last five games; The Phillies are trying to find a more consistent rhythm after going 2-3 over that same span. Despite an error-free defensive effort and a stellar start from Zack Wheeler on July 21, the Beats faltered in the ninth inning. Looking to flip the script and generate more offense this time, the Phillies are hoping to give the home team something to cheer about. Local fans will be able to watch the action in this crucial match on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Temperatures during the game will hover in the low 80s with winds gusting at 7 mph.
Betting odds
- Money line: LAD -120 / PHI +100
- Early Line: LAD -1.5 (+130) / PHI +1.5 (-157)
- Over/Under: 9.5 (Over -105 / Under -115)
Pitching match
The Dodgers will send Eric Lauer (3.12 ERA, 4.69 SO/9) to the mound; The Phillies will face veteran right-hander Aaron Nola (5.68 ERA, 9.44 SO/9).
Lauer has been a very effective option for Los Angeles this season, limiting the damage with a net WHIP of 1.09 over 40.1 innings of work. He doesn’t suppress hitters, averaging just 4.69 strikeouts per nine innings, but his ability to pitch to contact and suppress runs provides a consistent presence for the Dodgers.
Nola comes into this matchup looking to turn things around in a tough season with a WHIP of 1.45. His swing-and-miss skills remain elite, as evidenced by his 9.44 strikeouts per nine innings average. The Phillies will need a statement from Nola if they hope to silence a loaded Dodgers lineup.
Phyllis vs Eric Lauer
When Eric Lauer takes the mound, several key Philadelphia players will want to step into the box: Chief among them Tree Turner. Turner has historically torched lefties, leading all current Phillies in production with a stellar .375 batting average (6-for-16), two home runs and five RBIs. Bryce Harper also showed power against Lauer in a solid sample, collecting three hits in 12 at-bats (.250 AVG) and leading him to a home run.
However, during his career, Lauer successfully silenced several other notable bats on the Phillies roster. Veteran catcher JT Realmuto struggled mightily in this matchup, amassing just two hits in a 15-year career with a measly .133 batting average and one RBI. Humping homer Kyle Schwarber and third baseman Alec Bohm have also remained relatively silent, each recording just one hit in five at-bats (.200 AVG) against Dodgers starters. To ignite the offense and bounce back in this series, Philadelphia will need Turner and Harper to continue their historic success while hoping the rest of the roster can finally solve the Lauer problem.
Props
With an intriguing pitching matchup, players have plenty of options to consider when choosing props for Phillies players. Given his history of dominating Eric Lauer, Trea Turner stands out as an attractive target. Turner is listed at +106 to walk over 1.5 total bases, a very attainable mark for a player with a career .375 batting average and a pair of homers against the Dodgers’ lefty. Fellow superstar Bryce Harper can also do damage at +121, eclipsing his total bases by 1.5.
On the mound, veteran right-hander Aaron Nola’s elite swing-and-miss ability makes his hitting pivot a tempting play. Bettors can expect Nola to record over 5.5 strikeouts at +106. Given his solid 9.44 strikeouts per nine innings this season, Nola has what it takes to clear this hurdle if he can go deep enough against a powerful Los Angeles lineup. Finally, for those keeping an eye on the long ball, slugger Kyle Schwarber offers a solid +206 home run value, being Philadelphia’s best candidate to put him in the stands.
Interesting facts
- Phyllis as Underdogs: Philadelphia has struggled to overcome setbacks this season, posting a straight record of just 8-18 (.308) when listed as an underdog. Additionally, when they receive plus money, the games are heavily skewed towards lower valuations, with the under-earnings in these competitions being 65.4%.
- Home cooking: The Phillies will look to lean on their home fans to generate some momentum, leading them to a stunning 27-24 (.529) record in this matchup at Citizens Bank Park.
- Latest form: Both clubs struggled to find consistency throughout the game. Philadelphia is 5-5 in its last 10 games, while Los Angeles has a slightly worse 4-6 record over the same period.
- Dodgers as favorites: Los Angeles routinely does its business when oddsmakers expect a win, posting a solid 59-36 (.621) record as the odds-on favorite this year.
- Dodgers on the road: Getting the Dodgers out of Dodger Stadium in 2026 was no easy task as they boast an impressive 33-19 (.635) road record.