The Philadelphia Phillies’ latest postseason heartbreak came down to two glaring reasons — a bullpen that collapsed under pressure and a star trio that went silent when it mattered most. The Phillies painful 2025 NLDS loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers ended with Orion Kerkering’s throwing error in Game 4, but that mistake was only the final chapter in a larger story of missed execution.
Game 4 at Dodger Stadium delivered the defining moment. With two outs and the bases loaded in the 11th inning, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages hit a soft grounder back to Kerkering, who fielded it cleanly but rushed an off-balance throw that soared over J.T. Realmuto’s head. The 2-1 walk-off win sent L.A. to another NLCS and left Philadelphia searching for answers.
The collapse of Philadelphia's bullpen was the true turning point of the series. Once considered a strength, the Phillies’ relievers combined for a 5.85 ERA and allowed 18 of 28 inherited runners to score across four games. Matt Strahm, David Robertson, and Orion Kerkering each faltered in key moments, erasing quality work from Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, and Aaron Nola. Sanchez was outstanding in both of his starts, giving up just three earned runs over 12 innings while striking out 13. His Game 4 effort — one run allowed through 6 1/3rd innings — gave Philly every chance to extend the series before another late-inning breakdown sealed its fate. Manager Rob Thomson’s bullpen management drew criticism for failing to stabilize matchups and protect narrow leads.
Equally damaging was the offensive disappearance of Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber — the Phillies’ Big 3. The trio hit a combined .196 with 20 strikeouts over the series, leaving multiple runners stranded and failing to build early momentum. Schwarber’s two-homer night in Game 3 briefly revived hope, but it proved the lone offensive spark in an otherwise flat showing.
The Phillies extended their pattern of postseason frustration under Thomson despite consistent regular-season success. Fan reaction online was blunt, with many pointing to bullpen breakdowns, poor timing from the stars, and growing calls for roster changes led by president Dave Dombrowski.
In the end, the Phillies’ NLDS exit wasn’t about one bad throw — it was about two systemic failures. A bullpen that couldn’t hold up and a core that didn’t show up combined to end another promising season in October heartbreak.
