Phillies vs Dodgers NLCS Preview

Well the first round of the MLB Playoffs are complete. It came and went before I could even digest it with no Game 5's anywhere to be seen. The Dodgers annihilated the favored Cubbies winning in three games. The Brew Crew couldn't hit a lick against the Phils dropping in 4. The Rays-White Sox series had some action but nothing to get too excited about with the Rays winning in 4. Now the Angels-Red Sox series was something to get excited about. Each game was decided in the late innings and all games were decided by three runs or less. In Game 1 Jon Lester put runners on base all over but the Angels couldnt get anyone in, Jason Bay killed their chances with a homer late in the game to put them away for good. In Game 2 the all time saves leader, K Rod blew a tie game giving up a two run homer to JD Drew. Game 3 was that 5 hour extra inning game that the Angels eventually won. But in Game 4 it all fell down for the Halos. Lester shut them out again this time in seven innings. They were down 2-0 in the eighth when they tied it off Manny Delcarmen but the Sox came back and won it in the ninth on a Jed Lowrie seeing eye single.

Series Schedule

Game 1: Thursday, October 9, 8 p.m. Los Angeles (Lowe) at Philadelphia (Hamels).

Game 2: Friday, October 10, 4 p.m. Los Angeles (Billingsley) at Philadelphia (Myers).

Game 3: Sunday, October 12, 8 p.m. Philadelphia (Moyer) at Los Angeles (Kuroda).

Game 4 : Monday, October 13, TBA. Philadelphia at Los Angeles.

Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, October 15, TBA. Philadelphia at Los Angeles.

Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, October 17, TBA. Los Angeles at Philadelphia.

Game 7 (if necessary): Saturday, October 18, TBA. Los Angeles at Philadelphia.

Pitching- I'd take Lowe-Billingsley-Kuroda over Hamels-Myers-Moyer anyday but the Phils bullpen pretty much evens this up. Both teams have excellent and deep bullpens but the end of the game is where the Phils have the advantage. Anytime you can throw a guy out there who hasn't blown a lead for you all year you have to feel good about yourself in the 9th. Broxton and Lidge are very similar stuff-wise but Lidge has been able to control himself and has not blown up thus far. One thing to look for in this series- close game bottom of the 9th bases juiced Manny up game on the line. Who ya got? I'll take the dreadlocked man thank you very much.

Offense-

Catcher- Martin vs Ruiz- Huge advantage here for the Dodgers. Martin is a great player and may be developing into a leader. He's had big hits vs the Cubs and shows a lot of motion so you know he really wants a ring baddddd.

First Base- Loney vs Howard Advantage- Loney's a nice young hitter and has had a big postseason so far but the big man strikes a lot more fear in pitchers than Loney does.

Second Base- Utley vs DeWitt/Kent- If Kent plays this gets closer but Utley still has the advantage over both and is one of the best hitters in the National League

Shortstop- J-Roll vs Furcal- J-Roll is a leader and even though he wasn't great this year I'd still take a fully healthy Rollins over a somewhat healthy Furcal.

Third Base- Blake vs Feliz- Blake was a nice addition but dosen't do anything to amaze you. Feliz isn't a great player at all. LA finally has the advantage here.

Left Field- Manny being Manny vs Pat the Bat- Manny leaves Pat in the dust here but Burrell is still a dangerous hitter.

Center- Victorino vs Kemp- Kemp has much more talent but Victorino gives you all the intangibles show I see this as a toss up.

Right Field- Werth vs Ethier- both similar players. Both are 20 HR hitters but Ethier hits for a better average, but Werth plays better defense so I'll call this a toss-up as well.

Overall-I think right now I'd take the Dodgers offense because of the man in the middle Manny Ramirez. He is hitting lights out and no one can get him out, while Utley and Howard are struggling so far in the playoffs.

Prediction-Dodgers in seven.