Harrison Bader's groin injury creates an outfield rotation headache for the Phillies as they chase the Dodgers in a tense NLDS. With no major tear reported, Philadelphia wrestles with a day-to-day prognosis while considering how to align the lineup if Bader sits Game 2.

If Bader is unavailable, Castellanos likely starts in right, Marsh slides to center, and Wilson or Kepler fills left. Rojas, Crawford, and Mercado sit outside the roster, leaving Mercado as a potential late call-up. The Phillies push to keep the series within reach while monitoring Bader’s status for a potential return.

Teoscar Hernández delivered a momentum-shifting three-run homer in the Dodgers’ NLDS opener against Philadelphia, sealing a 5-3 win and reaffirming his October clutch. His exuberant, joy-filled approach remains a driving force, even after a rough defensive moment that briefly put Los Angeles in trouble. The result underscored his importance as a matchup weapon and a barometer for the Dodgers’ energy late in the season.

Manager Dave Roberts drilled down on Hernández’s fight and edge, noting a September surge and the need to stay engaged. The piece also highlights Dodgers’ fielding alignments—Hernández in right with Betts at short—while Ohtani’s presence also shapes how the lineup is constructed and how the club leverages its depth for the playoff push.

The Hernandez arc—postseason hero, big-contact bat under a $66 million deal, and a roster built around his right-field at-bats—continues to influence how the Dodgers attack the series and the rest of October.

Teoscar Hernández delivers in the clutch, powering the Dodgers to a 5-3 win in NLDS Game 1 with a game-changing three-run homer after a tense start. His October burst mirrors last year’s playoff pace, giving L.A. a reliable power source even as questions linger about his defense. A second-inning misplay briefly opened the door for the Phillies, but Hernández bounced back, and the Dodgers’ offense answered late to seize momentum.

LA’s roster moves—Betts at short, Hernández in right, Ohtani looming as DH—underscore a lineup that rotates through strength and risk in a tight series. Will Smith and the coaching staff emphasize execution, and the Dodgers will lean on their bullpen to bridge the gap as Philadelphia fights back. The stage is set for another high-stakes showdown as both teams weigh strategic shifts and hot hands in this postseason backdrop.

In short, Hernández’s emotional energy and timely power ignite a Dodgers win while the defense remains a work in progress. The NLDS opener showcased the drama, depth, and decision-making that could decide the series in the days ahead.