NLCS preview LA Dodgers @ Philadephia Philles

by Steve

NLCS
Dodgers Phillies? Anyone see this match up occurring in July? Man-ram is a beast like human and Brett Myers got his groove back some how. Thats all you really need to know. Phils in 7.

Well actually, there might be a bit more to it than those two players. Hamels is a true ace but D. Lowe has been here before and has actually dominated in this arena. I'm only hoping after game 1 the Phillies will be able to bounce back and take this series. Unfortunately I have no faith in Philadelphia not panicking after one loss and Charlie Manuel not imploding. So basically tonight is a must win for the Phils.

Utley, J-ro, and Howard surprisingly aren't all that Philly has. They have role players and clutch dudes like Jason Werth and Victorino. Speaking as a Mets fan, I know how those two can kill you. That isn't even mentioning the highest paid player on this team Pat Burrell. The dude is wildly inconsistent but he can mash and might be the surprise factor in this series.

The Dodgers don't really have any BIG guns like the Phillies (sans man-ram of course), they have solid young players in just about every position. Martin, Loney, Kemp and Ethier may disappear in this series. If that happens you can't depend on the old dudes Blake, Nomar, and Kent. The Dodgers are gonna need their young corps to bust out the bats and cause havoc running the bases.

Billingsley vs Myers game two has to scare Dodger fans so maybe game one is actually a must win for the Dodgers.(Actually scratch that, they only need to win one game on the road, might as well push it to game 7) I can't see a young dude like Chad beating Myers in game two in Philly regardless of game 1. Then game three Moyer will be toeing the rubber in LA vs Kuroda? A home team might not lose a game if the Phills win game 1. There is no game 4 starter for the Dodgers, but if it is Kershaw vs the announced starter Blanton the game is up for grabs. That game will be a wild card game with neither starter having much if any playoff experience. After that who knows who will pitch but after 4 games and the series is 2-2 it will come down to two things...

What would you rather have the home field advantage or the managerial advantage. Torre v Manuel? Real baseball fans vs Celebutonts and notorious "traffic-beaters-leaving-in-the-eighth" fans? Those pretty much offset each other. So it comes down to someone on the Phils matching Man-ram mashing. It probably won't be one player because no one can match man-ram in the playoffs. The big three plus Burrel will all have to play consistently average or better which I think they will. Don't forget about Lidge though. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT LIDGE( thank god there is no Pujols to destroy his psychie). Again, it will be a good series and Phills in 7.