How far can a team really go to get the upper hand over its rival? Well, when it comes to the MLB postseason, there seem to be no limits, and the Phillies are proving that. Reportedly, after dropping the first game of the NLDS against the Dodgers, they’re gearing up with every possible weapon for Game 2. But here’s the twist…

One of those weapons might be a secret, and it’s something that could seriously hurt the Dodgers. Even more surprising? That weapon actually comes from the Dodgers themselves. And no, this isn’t a rumor or clickbait; rather, Phillies manager Rob Thomson has confirmed it himself. “I think he’s given some information to our pitching coaches,” said the Phillies manager. “He’s a winner. It’s like having [Zach Wheeler] around. He’s a winner. He has that aura about him.”

Who’s that? Former Dodgers pitcher, Walker Buehler!

Well, just a few months after recording the final out of the 2024 World Series, a moment Dodgers fans will remember forever, Buehler found himself in a very different situation. In opposition to the fans’ expectations, he signed a one-year, $21.05 million deal with the Red Sox, but things didn’t exactly go as planned.

In 23 appearances for the Red Sox, he posted a 5.45 ERA, far from his usual form. Result? A quick release…And after being released at the end of August, the Phillies quickly scooped him up on a minor league deal. Since joining them, Buehler’s looked sharp again, posting a 0.66 ERA over 13.2 innings, striking out eight, walking six, and giving up 10 hits.

But now, he’s not just bringing his arm to Philadelphia, but he’s also bringing some valuable insider knowledge from his time with the Dodgers. The information that he had from his last year’s stint with the Dodgers. This would have been the lowest expectations for the Phillies when they signed Buehler. But for the Dodgers, they might face a different Phillies, who know the strengths and weaknesses of L.A.

The onus is on the Phillies’ swings and arms

Regardless of what information the Phillies are receiving from Buehler, it is on the players to perform on the field. The first game of the NLDS showed what it means when the Phillies’ offense gets cold.

Notably, in Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Dodgers, the Phillies’ offense went ice cold. They managed just three hits in their final 27 at-bats during a 5-3 defeat. That’s a mere .111 batting average over the last seven-plus innings. And beyond those moments, the lineup looked completely out of sync, which is becoming a troubling postseason trend for Philadelphia.

Well, it’s no secret that offensive inconsistency has plagued the Phillies in recent Octobers. For instance, the Phillies are now 0-8 in postseason series where they’ve lost Game 1. That’s a stat no team wants hanging over them, especially one built around power and momentum.

Even Citizens Bank Park, once considered one of the toughest postseason environments in baseball, hasn’t carried the same magic lately. The Phillies have dropped four of their last five playoff games at home, dating back to Game 6 of the 2023 NLCS. Hence, if this offensive drought continues, even the tipoff from former Dodger Walker Buehler won’t make much of a difference.