Phillies Could Be the Team to Finally Stop the Dodgers, Says MLB Broadcaster
As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to dominate baseball with a roster stacked with All-Stars, one MLB broadcaster believes the Philadelphia Phillies may have the best chance to knock them off in a postseason series. Matt Vasgersian, part of Netflix's broadcast crew for the upcoming MLB Field of Dreams Game in Iowa, shared his thoughts exclusively with ClutchPoints ahead of the August 13 matchup between the Phillies and Minnesota Twins at the iconic field in Dyersville.
Vasgersian, a veteran baseball voice, offered a candid assessment of the National League playoff picture, the Phillies' trade deadline moves, and the surprising MVP race between Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Phillies' Trade Deadline Move: A Smart Bet?
The Phillies surprised many by not acquiring the right-handed hitting outfielder they were expected to target. Instead, they landed All-Star Luis Arraez, a left-handed contact hitter who brings an elite bat to a lineup that has struggled with strikeouts. Vasgersian called the move a smart play.
“They couldn't get the right-handed fix so the next best play is to go get the best available bat and they got an elite bat into kind of a strikeouty lineup,” Vasgersian said. “It feels like a really abrupt change, but it isn't.”
The move shifts Bryce Harper back to the outfield and Alec Bohm to first base. Vasgersian sees it as a necessary shakeup for a team that has underperformed offensively.
“I think they had to do something to shock the system internally a little bit because their lineup just hadn't executed the way we all thought it was going to all year long,” he added.
Dodgers' Dominance: Can Anyone Beat Them in a Series?
When asked which team poses the biggest threat to the Dodgers, Vasgersian pointed to the Phillies, but only under the right conditions.
“I think whoever has a chance to line up with them in a five-game series is the best chance to kind of punch the Dodgers in the mouth,” Vasgersian said. “Because they're just so crazy deep, I can't see them losing a seven-game series to anybody in either league, I just can't.”
He highlighted the Dodgers' staggering depth. Even without Shohei Ohtani in the lineup for one game, the team still fielded 28 combined All-Star appearances. Their pitching staff includes Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and a resurgent Roki Sasaki.
“It's crazy how loaded they are,” Vasgersian said. “Whoever gets that five-game series, whether it's Philly, San Diego, the Cubs, right now it looks like Philly could be that team for the other 29 cities to root for to beat the Dodgers because of the pitching they've put together, and Arraez now makes it pretty fun.”
Iowa's Field of Dreams Game: A Showcase for the Phillies and Twins
The Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa, will feature the Phillies and Twins on August 13. Vasgersian will be part of the Netflix broadcast crew for the event, which has become a beloved tradition in the state.
The Twins, meanwhile, are in a tight race in the American League Central. Vasgersian believes they have a real chance to win the division, especially with the Cleveland Guardians struggling and the Chicago White Sox still a year away from serious contention.
“I do. I absolutely do,” Vasgersian said of the Twins' playoff hopes. “Lot of parity in the American League, in the Central in particular.”
NL MVP Race: Ohtani vs. Crow-Armstrong
One of the most surprising storylines this season is the MVP race. Shohei Ohtani was the heavy favorite, but Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has surged into contention. Vasgersian noted that the betting markets now show a split decision.
“Six weeks ago if we were looking at that number, the number on Shohei would have been so cost prohibitive, nobody's going there on it,” Vasgersian said. “Now they're both at like -110.”
He acknowledged that Crow-Armstrong's elite defense gives him a strong case, especially when factoring in advanced metrics like Fangraphs WAR.
“PCA's WAR is higher than Shohei's, which is insane,” Vasgersian said. “For that reason, PCA has a very live chance.”
What This Means for Iowa Baseball Fans
For Iowa baseball fans, the Field of Dreams Game offers a rare chance to see two competitive teams in a unique setting. The Phillies, with their revamped lineup and playoff aspirations, will be a team to watch. The Twins, fighting for a division title, add to the drama.
Vasgersian's insights suggest that while the Dodgers remain the team to beat, the Phillies have the pieces to make a deep October run. And in a five-game series, anything can happen.
“They're good for a reason,” Vasgersian said of the Dodgers. “But the Phillies could be the team that finally stops them.”