Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Philadelphia Phillies for three games beginning Monday. For the Dodgers, it’s both a chance to exact revenge for the Phillies’ three-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park in July, and a chance to look ahead to a possible National League Championship Series preview.The Phillies (66-45) and the Dodgers (65-47) have the two best records in the National League.That was the case when the Phillies outscored the Dodgers 19-5 in sweeping a three-game series in Philadelphia July 9-11. But both teams have made improvements since the trade deadline and, paradoxically, have sputtered ever since.The Phillies snapped a six-game losing streak Sunday by beating the Seattle Mariners, but are still just 8-15 since they took a season-high 10-game lead in the NL East on July 5. That lead is now down to 6.The Dodgers snapped a three-game losing streak Saturday by beating the Oakland A’s, then won again Sunday. They’re still just 4-6 since they took an 8.5-game lead in the NL West on July 23. That lead is now down to 4.5Perhaps the trials of the dog days of summer will make both teams better served come October, but both enter the series with question marks.For the Phillies, it starts with whether they can trust a retooled bullpen behind new closer Carlos Estevez, the prize of a trade deadline that included left-hander Tanner Banks. The Angels got two minor league prospects from the Phillies in exchange for Estevez, who allowed the winning run in the 10th inning Saturday in Seattle.Philadelphia is also missing two of its top five starters (Ranger Suarez and Taijuan Walker), and will send rookie Tyler Phillips to the mound Wednesday.The Dodgers will still be without injured sluggers Mookie Betts and Max Muncy, like they were during the July sweep, but are expected to welcome Freddie Freeman back from family emergency leave during the series.Clayton Kershaw, who was still on the rehab trail the last time the teams met, will make his third start since his return from off-season shoulder surgery in the series’ middle game Tuesday.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 11: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides home safely against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on July 11, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the…
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 11: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides home safely against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on July 11, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 5-1. The Phillies visit Los Angeles for three games starting Monday.
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It’s been a struggle so far for Kershaw, who was pounded by the San Diego Padres in his last outing, taking the loss.The Dodgers will send Tyler Glasnow to the mound Monday opposite Aaron Nola, while Christopher Sanchez will oppose Kershaw on Tuesday. Wednesday is a battle of the rookies, Phillips and Gavin Stone.That’s probably not the way the teams would like to line up their starters for a best-of-seven playoff series, but for now it’ll have to do. A temporary hold on the No. 1 seed in the NL — and possible home-field advantage in the postseason, for whatever it’s worth — is on the line.
