The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 20, to open a series against the Philadelphia Phillies, with first pitch set for 7:10 PM ET on ESPN. Emmet Sheehan gets the ball for Los Angeles against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup between two clubs with legitimate National League ambitions. The game carries real weight — every series in July matters when you're chasing a pennant — and the Dodgers will need a sharp outing from Sheehan to come away with a win in one of the NL's toughest road environments.

Dodgers at Phillies: Monday, July 20, 2026 Game Preview

Emmet Sheehan takes a high-profile assignment stepping into Citizens Bank Park, a ballpark that has humbled plenty of visiting pitchers. Sheehan is one of the more intriguing arms in the Dodgers organization — a power pitcher whose ability to miss bats will be tested against a Phillies lineup that runs deep with dangerous hitters. How he handles the middle of Philadelphia's order will largely dictate Los Angeles's chances.

Probable Pitchers

Emmet Sheehan (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Sheehan draws a tough assignment on the road, but the Dodgers clearly believe in what he can do in a big spot. His ability to generate strikeouts is his calling card, and he'll need it against a Phillies offense that can do serious damage when it gets rolling.

Cristopher Sánchez (Philadelphia Phillies)

Sánchez has developed into a reliable arm for Philadelphia, giving the Phillies a left-handed option capable of keeping opposing lineups off balance. The Dodgers will need to be patient and work counts against him — easier said than done when a lineup is itching to swing.

Dodgers Lineup to Watch

• Shohei Ohtani (DH, leadoff) — Ohtani hitting first gives Los Angeles an immediate threat at the top of the order. Every at-bat he takes sets the table for what follows.
• Andy Pages (CF) — Pages slots in at two, giving the Dodgers a second dynamic piece near the top before the lineup really gets dangerous.
• Freddie Freeman (1B) — Freeman batting cleanup is exactly what you want. He's the kind of hitter who can change a game with one swing.
• Mookie Betts (SS) — Betts at five keeps the pressure on opposing pitchers even after Freeman. There's no real rest in this order.
• Dalton Rushing (C) — Rushing gets the start behind the plate and will play a key role in managing Sheehan's game plan against a lineup he'll be seeing in a significant spot.

Keys to the Game

• Sheehan's command early: Citizens Bank Park rewards mistakes. If Sheehan falls behind in counts against Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper at the top of Philadelphia's order, it could be a long night quickly.
• Making Sánchez work: The Dodgers need Ohtani, Pages, and Tommy Edman to grind at-bats and get the lineup turning over to Freeman and Betts with runners on base.
• J.T. Realmuto factor: Realmuto is one of the best offensive catchers in the game and bats seventh in this Phillies lineup. Sheehan cannot afford to let his guard down deep in the order.
• Bullpen readiness: If Sheehan runs into early trouble, the Dodgers' bullpen depth becomes critical in holding this game close on the road.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Los Angeles, but Citizens Bank Park on a Monday night with a loud crowd behind the Phillies is never a comfortable spot for a road team. The Dodgers have the lineup firepower to put runs on Sánchez, and if Sheehan can give them five or six solid innings, the bullpen can handle the rest. Expect a competitive game that comes down to which offense makes the key late-inning play. Dodgers 4, Phillies 3.