💪PHILLIES CHALLENGE: No easy task ahead in Game 2 as pressure mounts, rotation depth tested, and every pitch could decide whether they bounce back or fall further behind …ll

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PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies had Shohei Ohtani on the ropes on the mound and tied up at the plate, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star seemingly losing the air of invincibility that surrounds him.

Ohtani the ace recovered, and he did it one swing-and-a-miss at a time against a string of All-Stars in the Phillies’ lineup.

Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper all disappeared in the playoffs again in Game 1 of the NL division series, a combined 1-for-11 effort with six strikeouts and no RBI in the 5-3 loss.

Game 2 is Monday at Citizens Bank Park, the boisterous ballpark known for its so-called four hours of hell that is supposed to rattle the nerves of even the most steeled players.

Even a three-time MVP such as Ohtani — who struck out four times Saturday night — acknowledged ahead of the game that he was a bit anxious to face the fans.

Here’s the headache for the Phillies: They have wasted home-field advantage with four losses in their last five postseason home games. So they enter Game 2 with cold bats, have lost that extra oomph that 45,000 fans usually provide and have to regain their playoff mojo against the reigning World Series champions and two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

“I don’t sense any extra pressure,” Phillies Manager Rob Thomson said Sunday.

He might not sense it, but the fan base does, especially with little room for error in the best-of-five series.

Ohtani retired 15 of the final 17 batters he faced. Turner, Schwarber and Harper went 0 for 9 with five strikeouts against the right-hander.

From two-way sensation to two-time Cy Young postseason standout, the series won’t get easier for the Phillies.

Snell, who missed four months of his first season in Los Angeles with shoulder inflammation, struck out a season-high 12 over seven innings in a September start against the Phillies.

Snell got the ball last week in the wild-card series opener and struck out nine over seven strong innings. He retired his initial eight batters in his first playoff start since 2022, when he was with the San Diego Padres. Snell matched his postseason high for strikeouts in the longest postseason start of his career.

He is 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA in 13 career playoff appearances (11 starts).

“I feel good with Snell going tomorrow,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said.

Harper is 1 for 11 with a home run and two RBI against Snell. Schwarber, the NL home run and RBI champion, is 2 for 12 with a homer and three RBI, while Turner is a moderately better 4 for 17 with three RBI in 20 plate appearances vs. Snell.

“Just like everything else, we’re going to be attacking it head on and we’re going to be excited to walk into the clubhouse and get back on the field and play another high, meaningful game here,” Schwarber said Saturday night. “That’s what this is about. This is never going to be easy. You’re facing the best of the best out here. It’s up to us to be able to make the adjustments and go out there and feel like we’re doing everything possible to put ourselves in position to win a baseball game.”

Jesus Luzardo (15-7, 3.92 ERA) starts Game 2 for the Phillies.

Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader could play in Game 2 after leaving the opener with a groin injury.

Thomson said Sunday that imaging showed no major tear or strain in Bader’s groin. Thomson said the Phillies would have a better idea on Monday if Bader, who settled center field and morphed into a fan favorite down the stretch, could start or at least be used as a pinch hitter.

“I think after the game they stretched him out, got him moving around a little bit,” Thomson said. “I think he felt a lot better after that.”

In Game 1, Bader sprinted to his left on Andy Pages’ tying shot in the fifth inning and made the diving grab for the out. Bader, who added a sacrifice fly, said he felt tightness later in the game running the bases.

“This is kind of the point in the season where you just empty the tank,” Bader said after the game.

Should Bader miss Game 2, Nick Castellanos likely would return to the starting lineup in right field, with Brandon Marsh in center field and Max Kepler in right.

Job no easier for Phillies in Game 2 | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, left, and Roki Sasaki celebrate after the Dodgers won Game 1 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Job no easier for Phillies in Game 2 | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Harrison Bader catches a pop-foul out by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Andy Pages during the fifth inning in Game 1 of baseball’s National League Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Job no easier for Phillies in Game 2 | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith, left, and Mookie Betts celebrate after the Dodgers won Game 1 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Job no easier for Phillies in Game 2 | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper walks back to the dugout after striking out against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani during the sixth inning in Game 1 of baseball’s National League Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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