Should Dodgers Want Braves or Phillies in the NLDS?

Download the Fanatics Sports &amp; Casino App now, the new all-in-one app for sports fans, bringing together ways to bet, trade, or play in one experience.Disclaimer: 21+ only. Availability differs by state. Terms apply. See app for details. Sportsbook: GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, CT call (888) 789-7777, MA call (800)-327-5050, NY call (877) 8-HOPENY, MD visit mdgamblinghelp.org. Markets: Event contract trading is offered by Morton St. Trading Investments, LLC, d/b/a Fanatics Markets, a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant and NFA member. Event contracts carry risk of total loss and changing prices. Not good for all investors. See app for important disclosures.&nbsp;Welcome to Dodgers Nation Live: Wild Card Edition! Aaron Coloma and Nelson Espinal preview the Dodgers' first postseason series during the Wild Card round. The Braves and Phillies are in Game 1 as they talk, and the question is which team the Dodgers should prefer to face in the NLDS.&nbsp;Follow Aaron Coloma:https://twitter.com/AaronJColoma&nbsp;https://www.instagram.com/aaronjcoloma/&nbsp;&nbsp;Follow Nelson Espinal:https://twitter.com/nelson__espinal&nbsp;&nbsp;Nelson wants the Braves: Espinal argues the Phillies are the more complete, playoff-built team, with a better rotation, contact-heavy hitters and experience. He also says the Dodgers can't count on beating the same team two years in a row. Beating the Braves would also be a "monkey off the back" moment for this Dodgers era.&nbsp;Aaron wants the Phillies: Coloma worries about Braves stars Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Chris Sale, who threw a complete-game shutout against the Dodgers a month earlier. He thinks Harper and Schwarber are past their peaks, and that the Braves' struggles against left-handed pitching favor the Dodgers.&nbsp;Regular season vs. postseason: Aaron points out the Dodgers won the season series against the Phillies but the Braves ran over them. Nelson throws out regular-season results, citing how the Brewers beat the Dodgers in the regular season last year and then lost to them in the playoffs. The chat poll favors the Phillies, and it ends at 72% Phillies.&nbsp;Last year's Phillies series: Nelson argues the Dodgers are better defensively and in bullpen depth compared to last year's NLDS, which included Sasaki's late-inning dominance in Game 2 and the home-plate error that sealed the series. The Phillies' high-powered offenses often fade in October, thanks largely to former Dodgers coach Don Mattingly's postseason tactics.&nbsp;Other postseason threats: The panel discuss the Cubs (with doubts about their pitching and Pete Crow-Armstrong's lack of October track record) and the Padres. Aaron calls the Padres the biggest NL threat because of their hot second half. Nelson says the Phillies are the biggest threat and that the Dodgers look much stronger than last year, especially the bullpen and defense.&nbsp;World Series predictions: Nelson picks a Dodgers–Yankees World Series, expecting Aaron Judge to return and calling the AL weak. Aaron thinks the Red Sox beat a Judge-less Yankees team, and he rates the Rays as a Brewers-like surprise team that falls short of the Yankees.&nbsp;Roster debate: Aaron doesn't think Hyeseong Kim makes the NLDS roster and prefers Alex Call as an outfield option. Nelson likes Kim as a bench option. They note Alex Freeland (named as "Alex Thomas" in the transcript) is ineligible after electing free agency, and they discuss Emmet Sheehan and Bobby Miller as long-relief candidates.&nbsp;Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman slumps: Aaron isn't worried and says both will break out. Nelson believes the Dodgers can lean on a hot Mookie Betts, good pitching and defense, and Ohtani still getting on base.&nbsp;Will Josue De Paula make the postseason roster? Josue De Paula could make the roster as a pinch-hitter with a 12-pitcher configuration. Nelson praises his on-base ability but questions his defense. The show closes with the Phillies winning the poll, and Nelson still says he'd rather face the Braves.&nbsp;Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DodgersnationTV?sub_confirmation=1&nbsp;&nbsp;Subscribe to our daily newsletter! ➡️ dodgersnation.com/subscribeSupport us with our merch store! 👕 www.gearup.la</