OK, will try to do without bias towards the Phils. The rematch shows the Dodgers as a slight favorite over the defending champs. Surprising maybe to some, but probably not after briefly going over the matchups!
Batters 1-8
Very close here except the Phils are alittle scarier in being able to put a 4-5 run inning on their opponents in a hurry! I give the Dodgers a slight edge in the outfield positions! Howard, Utley, and Rollins get the nod at their postions while Blake, Martin get it for LA at 3B and Catcher. Six of the Phils 1-8 batted over .300 in the NLDS. Ramirez broke out of a funk at the plate in the Dodgers game 3 clincher over the Cards. EVEN
Starting Pitching
Even though 5 starters won't be used, Lee, Hamels, Happ, Blanton, and Martinez have the advantage over Kershaw, Wolf, Padilla, Kuroda, and Billingsley. Less questions must be answered with the Phillies starters. Phillies
Bullpen
Without question LA possesses the superior relievers. Broxton, Sherrill, Kuo are set in stone and when the Dodgers are ahead by the 7th inning, odds weigh heavily on them winning. Philadelphia's has the talent in pen, just with Madsen and more so with Lidge the uncertainly exists when they enter the game. Dodgers
Bench
The biggest flaw with the Phils is the bench and it's not going to change now! They did add Brunlett to the roster for the NLCS and will go with 11 pitchers. The Dodgers have a solid veteran bench with the likes of Pierre, Thome, Loretta, Ausmus, and Hudson. Torre will have at hand greater options to work with. Dodgers
Managers
No doubt Torre has the resume which says Manual is not at his level. Listening to Maunal do an interview will only strengthen that opinion. But one thing Manual knows is his team! Dodgers
Intangibles
In all my years of being a Philly fan, I have never seen a team so mentally tough as this group of players. Games 3 and 4 in the NCDS showed that. LA has the revenge factor and home field advantage, but maybe some added pressure as well? Game 1 is oh so important! Torre must be thinking that way? Switching to Kershaw from Wolf! Padilla in game 2 and Wolf in Philly? Because he knows the fans of the City of Brotherly Love would eat Padilla alive!Phillies
What I think the Phillies need to do to advance to the World Series! Of course they need quality starting pitching. But more importantly the batters need to be patient at the plate. IMO the Phillies can't be held in check when they focus on swinging at the right pitches. Point being, Kershaw resembles a young Sandy Koufax with his HIP ratio and his 1.97 ERA over his last 20 games, but he also averaged close to 5 BBs every 9 innings.
Jimmy Rollins getting on base would enhance the Phils chances greatly! By his standards this was a subpar year, but he hit .288 with 28 doubles, 4 triples, 15 HRs, 50 RBIs, 59 runs scored and 20 stolen bases after July 2. Take notice if he scores a run in any games, the Phillies are 61-19 (.763) when he does! If the Phils get good starting pitching, hit like they can, their lack of a bench and the Dodgers quality bullpen will not even come into play! Of course LA will need that bench! Again, these guys from Philly are MENTALLY HARD AS NAILS and the country boy in Charlie Manual seems to know the right buttons to push!
Any opinions and thoughts on the above (pro and con) is greatly appreciated. Continue to go with the Phils in the series and placing wager on them right now at +128 for game 1. Good luck to all and let's enjoy what shapes up to be a great final four!
Stats from MLB.com
Batters 1-8
Very close here except the Phils are alittle scarier in being able to put a 4-5 run inning on their opponents in a hurry! I give the Dodgers a slight edge in the outfield positions! Howard, Utley, and Rollins get the nod at their postions while Blake, Martin get it for LA at 3B and Catcher. Six of the Phils 1-8 batted over .300 in the NLDS. Ramirez broke out of a funk at the plate in the Dodgers game 3 clincher over the Cards. EVEN
Starting Pitching
Even though 5 starters won't be used, Lee, Hamels, Happ, Blanton, and Martinez have the advantage over Kershaw, Wolf, Padilla, Kuroda, and Billingsley. Less questions must be answered with the Phillies starters. Phillies
Bullpen
Without question LA possesses the superior relievers. Broxton, Sherrill, Kuo are set in stone and when the Dodgers are ahead by the 7th inning, odds weigh heavily on them winning. Philadelphia's has the talent in pen, just with Madsen and more so with Lidge the uncertainly exists when they enter the game. Dodgers
Bench
The biggest flaw with the Phils is the bench and it's not going to change now! They did add Brunlett to the roster for the NLCS and will go with 11 pitchers. The Dodgers have a solid veteran bench with the likes of Pierre, Thome, Loretta, Ausmus, and Hudson. Torre will have at hand greater options to work with. Dodgers
Managers
No doubt Torre has the resume which says Manual is not at his level. Listening to Maunal do an interview will only strengthen that opinion. But one thing Manual knows is his team! Dodgers
Intangibles
In all my years of being a Philly fan, I have never seen a team so mentally tough as this group of players. Games 3 and 4 in the NCDS showed that. LA has the revenge factor and home field advantage, but maybe some added pressure as well? Game 1 is oh so important! Torre must be thinking that way? Switching to Kershaw from Wolf! Padilla in game 2 and Wolf in Philly? Because he knows the fans of the City of Brotherly Love would eat Padilla alive!Phillies
What I think the Phillies need to do to advance to the World Series! Of course they need quality starting pitching. But more importantly the batters need to be patient at the plate. IMO the Phillies can't be held in check when they focus on swinging at the right pitches. Point being, Kershaw resembles a young Sandy Koufax with his HIP ratio and his 1.97 ERA over his last 20 games, but he also averaged close to 5 BBs every 9 innings.
Jimmy Rollins getting on base would enhance the Phils chances greatly! By his standards this was a subpar year, but he hit .288 with 28 doubles, 4 triples, 15 HRs, 50 RBIs, 59 runs scored and 20 stolen bases after July 2. Take notice if he scores a run in any games, the Phillies are 61-19 (.763) when he does! If the Phils get good starting pitching, hit like they can, their lack of a bench and the Dodgers quality bullpen will not even come into play! Of course LA will need that bench! Again, these guys from Philly are MENTALLY HARD AS NAILS and the country boy in Charlie Manual seems to know the right buttons to push!
Any opinions and thoughts on the above (pro and con) is greatly appreciated. Continue to go with the Phils in the series and placing wager on them right now at +128 for game 1. Good luck to all and let's enjoy what shapes up to be a great final four!
Stats from MLB.com
). Congrats to Philadelphia backers.