This October has many matchups that are going to have fans glued to their screens. We got the Yankees and the Blue Jays, we got the Cubs and Brewers, but the one clash that is going to have all eyes on is the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies. Going into the NLDS, the Phillies have the Dodgers’ number, and there’s one more thing the Phillies have in their arsenal that might give them the edge.

After the 2024 season, we saw Walker Buehler go from the Dodgers to the Red Sox. But it was not a successful move because we later saw the Red Sox release him, and the Phillies picked him up. And now, with the Phillies facing the Dodgers, Buehler is not sitting back and watching his former team have an advantage.

In an interview, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said, “He’s given some information to our pitching coaches and um he’s a winner… He has that aura about him… we’re going to use him out of the pen in this series.”

Walker Buehler faced his former Dodgers for the first time this season while pitching for Boston, allowing three runs on four hits in 4.2 innings. He struck out four and walked five, showing glimpses of his former dominance despite a challenging outing at Fenway Park.

Having spent eight seasons with Los Angeles, Buehler knows the hitters’ tendencies, timing, and approach better than most opposing pitchers ever could. That familiarity adds a quiet edge for the Phillies, especially as Los Angeles’ bullpen has consistently struggled to hold leads this season.

Now with Philadelphia, Buehler brings not only pitching talent but veteran insight that could subtly influence the NLDS matchup. Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed he has shared information with pitching coaches, highlighting his winning presence and aura within the clubhouse.

With Buehler potentially facing Dodgers hitters in relief, every matchup could carry an extra psychological weight for Los Angeles.

Walker Buehler’s return against the Dodgers might tilt the scales, and Los Angeles should beware. The Phillies’ blend of strategy, talent, and insider knowledge makes their NLDS approach unexpectedly sharp. Fans will watch the Dodgers and the Phillies clash, knowing October just added a twist only Buehler could provide.

The Phillies are bringing plans, and so are the Dodgers

This October, the Phillies aren’t just showing up; they’re scheming, plotting, and quietly smiling at the chaos they might unleash. The Dodgers, confident as ever, think experience alone will carry them through, but history and habits have a way of mocking even the most polished lineups. Both teams have firepower, brains, and ambition, yet the real tension will come from an unexpected variable quietly lurking in Philadelphia’s bullpen.

The Dodgers made significant changes to the pitching department after the Wild Card games.

They have added Clayton Kershaw and Anthony Banda to the bullpen. These two left-handed pitchers replaced Justin Wrobleski and Edgardo Henriquez. These changes give the Dodgers an advantage against the top hitters for the Phillies. With Philadelphia having heavy hitters like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, fans could see these changes coming.

The lefty-heavy bullpen forces Phillies manager Rob Thomson into tough early-game decisions. Pinch-hitting for key left-handed hitters could strain the bench, giving the Dodgers favorable matchups later in games. It’s a strategy crafted with precision, and watching it unfold makes every pitch feel electrifying for hopeful Dodgers supporters.

Philadelphia’s cunning bullpen might quietly rewrite the script, leaving Dodgers’ fans holding their breath nervously. Kershaw and Banda’s presence signals Los Angeles isn’t bluffing, yet the Phillies might still outwit them.