Kyle Schwarber lifts Phillies to victory over Dodgers with two homers

On October 8, 2025, in the United States, the Philadelphia Phillies faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium. The Phillies entered the game needing a win to avoid a sweep after losing the first two games of the series. Kyle Schwarber emerged as the standout player, hitting two home runs, which significantly contributed to the Phillies' 8-2 victory over the Dodgers. This win marked a pivotal moment for the Phillies in the best-of-five series, which was crucial for shifting the series momentum in their favor. The first of Schwarber's homers was particularly memorable, clearing the right-field pavilion during a significant three-run fourth inning. His performance was notable not just for the home runs but also because it ended an 0-for-8 slump he had in the series, and he demonstrated his power by hitting a 96-mph fastball 455 feet. Additionally, this was the first postseason home run hit by Schwarber and the first allowed by the Dodgers in the playoffs that year. After the strong offensive display, other Phillies players also contributed to the victory, particularly during the eighth inning where they scored five more runs, highlighted by J.T. Realmuto's solo shot. The pitching staff played a crucial role as well; Ranger Suárez came in after Aaron Nola's two-inning start, allowing only one run while striking out four batters and walking one over five innings. The Phillies were able to capitalize on mistakes made by the Dodgers’ pitchers, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who struggled after a strong start. Looking ahead, the series continued as Game 4 was scheduled to take place the following day, where the stakes would be higher for both teams. The Dodgers aimed to recover and finish the series strongly while the Phillies sought to even up the series and keep their postseason hopes alive. The implications of this game and the performances, especially by their star players, would set the tone for the continuation of the playoffs as both teams vied for a spot in the National League Championship Series.