Phillies Nuggets: Latest on Harrison Bader, Aaron Nola

LOS ANGELES — Here are some pregame notes as the Phillies try to stave off elimination by the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS.

• Harrison Bader (left hamstring) is not in the starting lineup for Game 3. He is available as a pinch hitter again. Thomson didn’t rule out the possibility of Bader running for himself if he gets a hit, but said that will be a game-time decision:  

Harrison Bader isn’t in the starting lineup, but Rob Thomson explains to @Paul_CasellaMLB what role he could have on tonight’s game.

(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/Q4DfvFAIhR

— On Pattison (@OnPattison) October 8, 2025

• Aaron Nola is aware of the plan that the Phillies have for him tonight. Obviously, Thomson didn’t tip what that plan will be. Ranger Suárez is expected to pitch in relief at some point, but while Thomson didn’t rule out bringing him in mid-inning, he prefers to have the lefty start a clean inning: 

Rob Thomson to @ACPressMcGarry on Aaron Nola’s leash tonight: “We’ve got a plan together, and Aaron knows it.”

(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/K7Ou1fW8wF

— On Pattison (@OnPattison) October 8, 2025

• Trea Turner explained what he believes makes Rob Thomson the right manager for these moments: 

Trea Turner explains to @inkstainedretch what he thinks makes Rob Thomson valuable to the Phillies.

(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/WF6BaFIUaT

— On Pattison (@OnPattison) October 8, 2025

• In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Phillies will be wearing their powder blue uniforms for Game 3 (and Game 4, if there is one). The last time the Phillies wore the powder blue uniforms on the road in a postseason game was on Oct. 12, 1983 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. The Phillies hope that’s where the similarities stop, as they lost that game 4-1 and the Fall Classic in 1983 in five games. 

• On Pattison‘s Anthony SanFilippo spoke to Flyers’ general manager Danny Briere, who was part of the team that overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Boston Bruins in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals. 

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