This is the fourth time (and first in the best-of-seven era) that these teams have battled in the NLCS, with the Dodgers winning 3-1 in 1977 and 1978 and the Phils winning 3-1 in 1983.
Game 1, October 9, in Philadelphia: Derek Lowe vs. Cole Hamels
Game 2, October 10, in Philadelphia: Chad Billingsley vs. Brett Myers
Game 3, October 12, in Los Angeles: Jamie Moyer vs. Hiroki Kuroda
Game 4, October 13, in Los Angeles: Joe Blanton vs. (probably) Greg Maddux
I'm fine with either team winning just as long as they beat the AL rep in the World Series. I think I'd be physically sick if Boston or Tampa won.
“How is it that I am a good actor? What I do is I... pretend to be the person I’m portraying. You’re confused. Case in point: in Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson comes to me and says ‘I would like you to be Gandalf the Wizard,’ and I said ‘You are aware that I am not really a wizard?’ and Peter Jackson said ‘I would like you to use your acting skills to portray a wizard for the duration of the show.’ So I said ‘Okay’ and then I said to myself ‘Mmm.. How do I do that?’ And this is what I did: I imagined that I was a wizard, and then I pretended, and acted, in that way on the stage. How did I know what to say? The words were written down for me in a script. How did I know where to stand? People told me where to stand." -- Sir Ian McKellen, Extras
Derek Lowe tonight is the only pitcher that scares me in their rotation, especially in the postseason.
What you really should be rooting against is a Dodgers/Red Sox World Series, because then ESPN, Fox, etc. will subject the world to 8 zillion Manny&Torre&Nomaaah vs. Boston stories. And nobody wants that. Except ESPN, Fox, etc...
The Phils have one of the most exciting lineups, top to bottom, that I've seen in a while. But the LA pitching is on a roll. I'm going with the Phils in 6. I just hope it's a good series; no more sweeps, please.
I can't get too down about it though. Lowe was ON until those two critical mis-steps. Oh, and the Dodgers stopped hitting. That doesn't help. Defensively, aside from Furcal's error, they did everything they needed to do.
Game 2 tomorrow at the ridiculous hour of 1:35pm Pacific. At least I can listen to Vin Scully in my cubicle.
On that Furcal error, it *almost* looked like that was a designed play by Victorino. He just stuck his bat out and took about a half swing as he ran to first, almost baiting Furcal to rush his throw.
And yeah, I'll get to see the 4th inning on for Game 2 I guess. East coast games so far.
Originally posted by SchippeWreckAnd Game 1 goes to the Phils. Damn.
I can't get too down about it though. Lowe was ON until those two critical mis-steps. Oh, and the Dodgers stopped hitting. That doesn't help. Defensively, aside from Furcal's error, they did everything they needed to do.
Game 2 tomorrow at the ridiculous hour of 1:35pm Pacific. At least I can listen to Vin Scully in my cubicle.
that will make up for all the whiners who will complain next week about the Phillies games starting at 10:30 ET.
Originally posted by djpThe Phils have one of the most exciting lineups, top to bottom, that I've seen in a while. But the LA pitching is on a roll. I'm going with the Phils in 6. I just hope it's a good series; no more sweeps, please.
(edited by djp on 9.10.08 2202)
Eh, I find their lineup to be pretty boring. Yeah, they can hit the ball far but the fascination with the home run is making baseball pretty boring in my opinion. The two players I would pay to see on their team, Utley and Rollins, aren't even having their normal seasons.
Originally posted by djpOn that Furcal error, it *almost* looked like that was a designed play by Victorino. He just stuck his bat out and took about a half swing as he ran to first, almost baiting Furcal to rush his throw.
And yeah, I'll get to see the 4th inning on for Game 2 I guess. East coast games so far.
Victorino's done that a bunch this season, where he just "slaps" at the ball & tries to outrun the throw.
Originally posted by djpThe Phils have one of the most exciting lineups, top to bottom, that I've seen in a while. But the LA pitching is on a roll. I'm going with the Phils in 6. I just hope it's a good series; no more sweeps, please.
(edited by djp on 9.10.08 2202)
Eh, I find their lineup to be pretty boring. Yeah, they can hit the ball far but the fascination with the home run is making baseball pretty boring in my opinion. The two players I would pay to see on their team, Utley and Rollins, aren't even having their normal seasons.
They are one of the few teams to have three potential MVP candidates each of the last three years. Add Victorino and Burrell and I find them hard to top.
I don't know why ESPN and Fox kept wondering if Brett Myers would implode, as if Chad Billingsly was much better. Billigsly could blow up just as bad as Myers and he showed it today, getting himself in a big hole, even though he was well on his way to striking out the side in the 2nd.
It's all home teams so far between these two teams. I don't doubt the Dodgers can pull even, but they need to stop setting the table for Blake DeWitt, who keeps blowing golden opportunities like that bases loaded 5th inning. I like Kuroda over Moyer, but Game 4 will worry me.
Originally posted by SchippeWreckExcept that all 3 games in L.A. start at 5:22 Pacific. Start time during rush hour? The freeways are going to implode.
I don't doubt for a second that the Fox cameras are going to pan over the empty seats at Dodger Stadium and the sports punditry will point out that L.A. has horrible sports fans. Never mind the fact that by 5:22pm, everyone and their mother will be stuck on the 110 trying frantically to get to the game and deal with the god-awful parking situation at the Stadium.
And tonight he provided the only offense the Dodgers could muster: a solo home run.
Congrats Phillies - first pennant since 1993.
And so this in all likelyhood concludes Manny Ramierez's career as an LA Dodger. I know about ten minutes after he arrived that he wanted to end his career in LA. Didn't take him long to change his tune on that; he later stated that he wanted to end it in NY. Time will tell...all we know is that he is going to get *paid*.
Originally posted by djpAnd tonight he provided the only offense the Dodgers could muster: a solo home run.
That was the most baffling thing to me. I know Hamels is good, but "shut down everybody not named Manny" good? The Blue clearly thought they lost the series on Monday night and just forgot to show up and play game 5 last night.
I genuinely hope that we re-sign Manny, but I know that doing so will leave very little money left to fill the other holes in the lineup (3B, SS, Starting rotation).
If there is one tiny bright spot I can take away from this dismal series, it's the emergence of James McDonald. That guy's gonna be MONEY next year.
I was so ready to be happy that the Dodgers just made it THIS far. I would have been so content if they had fought to the bitter end, but they once again go out in a blaze of crap (just later than usual this year) with three ridiculous errors. Thank you, Mr. Furcal. Not that it mattered by that point, because everyone not named "Manny" pretty much phoned it in anyway.
I want to look forward to next year, but am awaiting the inevitable Manny signing to "anywhere NOT in L.A.". And once that happens, it'll be back to the same old crap in Dodgertown.
Thread ahead: World Series 2008: Phillies vs. Rays Next thread: 2008 ALCS Thread: Rays vs. Red Sox Previous thread: Is Manny Ramirez the best foreign-born baseball player in history?