In a dramatic start to the NLDS, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, courtesy of rookie Roki Sasaki achieving his first MLB save. After missing more than four months with a right shoulder impingement, the Japanese rookie returned to Los Angeles in late September as a bullpen arm and quickly became a game-changer in the postseason.

The Phillies struck early, taking a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run triple into right-center field, after which Harrison Bader hit a sacrifice fly. Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani, starting in the playoffs for the first time, stumbled early but got his act together, going six innings, allowing three runs on three hits, fanning nine, and walking one.

Los An

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