Nola’s rotation is deployed as the Phillies chase balance; the Dodgers’ depth makes the Phillies’ starters a step behind in the series’s current frame.

Aaron Nola, the Phillies' veteran, enters with 2025 as a rough season (5-10, 6.01) but closed strong with eight innings of one-run ball vs Minnesota. He offers length if needed and has a 5-4 playoff mark with a 4.02 ERA in 10 starts. His reliability remains a critical hedge for a stretched rotation and potential Game 3 or emergency slot in a long series.

Nola appears as a potential game choice in later playoff windows, with Philadelphia weighing rotation options around him and the Dodgers’ potent lineup.

Nola offers a proven postseason track record and a crucial anchor behind the injured Wheeler. His performance can set the tone for Philly’s pitching depth, with a focus on control, strike-throwing, and minimizing the opponent’s opportunities.

Nola joined Luzardo in the bullpen for three scoreless innings, providing a strong final tuneup and reinforcing Philly’s ace-like presence as they approach the NLDS. His execution and stamina in a playoff-like setting bolster confidence in the rotation’s depth.