The Los Angeles Dodgers might be sitting on top of the NL West, but according to former World Series champ Ryan Dempster, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies who are the real problem in the National League, especially if you are chasing a pennant.
Appearing on Intentional Talk, Dempster didn’t hesitate when asked if the Phillies could stop the star-studded Dodgers. “Yeah, I’m gonna say yeah, because of the rotation,” Dempster said.
“Aaron Nola hasn’t even had a good run yet so far this year. He’s really had struggles, but Zack Wheeler, we all know this guy is a bona fide ace. What they were able to get in Jesús Luzardo, Ranger Suarez, Christopher Sanchez, they’re so deep,” Dempster added.
"They are as deep as any team."@Dempster46 believes the Phillies are the biggest threat to the Dodgers in the NL 👀 pic.twitter.com/PMYlj0ObCZ
— Intentional Talk (@IntentionalTalk) May 22, 2025
The Phillies currently lead the NL East with a 32–18 record, riding a seven-game winning streak. Their rotation has been a cornerstone of their success, with Wheeler and Suarez delivering consistently strong performances. Despite Jose Alvarado’s suspension, the depth provided by Luzardo and Sanchez has kept the team competitive.
Dodgers’ Pitching Woes A Big Issue
Meanwhile, the Dodgers, who sit atop the NL West at 31–19, have faced challenges with their pitching staff. They have 14 pitchers on the injured list, including key starters like Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki. This has forced manager Dave Roberts to adjust his rotation frequently.
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“Look at the Dodgers alone. How many starting pitchers they start the season with? Nine. Turns out they’re gonna need 30, because they keep having guys go down,” the 48-year-old noted.
“The depth in their rotation, I think to me, is what puts [the Phillies] in that upper echelon and true contenders against the Dodgers.”
With elite arms and a dangerous lineup, don’t be surprised if it’s the Phillies leapfrog the Dodgers at the top of the NL standings.
