Catching up with the NLCS

Where We Last Left Off

When we last left you, the Philadelphia Phillies won Game 1 behind a strong showing by Cole Hamels. Since then, three games have been played, and due to the Vendorball Staff's desire to actually watch some sports, we have been a bit behind writing about them. So we are supercharging ourselves for the next few days starting with the NLCS Games 2, 3, and 4 (here). The Pats game (below). And ALL of the ALCS coverage we've missed by spending our nights watching sports. We're giving, here, and we're giving hard even if we have to give all night long.

NLCS Game 2: When Slapping 5 Runs in 5 Innings Isn't Enough
Phillies 8 - Dodgers 5

Well, when your own starting pitcher gives up 8 runs in 2.1 innings, then scoring 5 runs in 5 innings might not cut it. Chad Billingsley, who pitched masterfully in his NLDS game got shellacked by the Phillies starting 9. Yes, I mean 9. As woefully as Brett Myers' line might have been, he did contribute big time with his bat, going 3-for-3 with 2 runs and 3 RBI. I'll leave you a second to read that over again.
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Done? Yeah I know it took me a few minutes, too. But for some reason Chad Billingsley had no answer for Brett Myers in the batters box. In fact, Brett Myers is 4-5 with a walk, 3 RBI and 3 Runs so far in the playoffs. Perhaps pitching was not quite the right calling for him.

Notably, in this game, Brett Myers decided to throw behind Manny during his first at-bat. Manny responded in his third at bat, taking an inside fastball off the fists but over the fence. Yes, he is that good and that strong. The homerun was hit in the top of the 4th and was the 5th straight half inning where at least one run was scored. Fans buckled up for a bumpy ride, but then the bullpens buckled down and not another run was scored the rest of the game. Weird how that works, but the bullpens of both ballclubs lived up to their billing. Unfortunately the starting pitching did not.

Lidge, who pitched the 9th for the save, made it interesting by walking two guys, but wiggled his way out of it again (as he's done all year) and managed to strike out Kemp and Garciaparra on 8 straight sliders. Watching Nomar strike out really brought me back. His lack of plate discipline still amazes me. In fact, how do you NOT know the 8th slider is coming when I'm pretty sure that's the only pitch he threw during the inning!? Well, that screwed my "Dodgers in 5" pick. Thanks guys, really.

Win: Brett Myers (1-0, 9.00)
Loss: Chad Billingsly(0-1, 27.00)
Save: Brad Lidge (2)
Player of the Game: Brett Myers - 1 Win plus the nice hitting stats. Amazing.

Game 3: 45 - is that your age or your NLCS ERA, Jamie Moyer?
Dodgers 7 - Phillies 2

Ok, that's Jamie Moyer's age. But his NLCS ERA this year is 40.50, and when your ERA is nearing your age (I don't care how old you are) that's not good. In fact, Moyer's ERA is larger than the age of every other player on the Phillies' playoff roster (Matt Stairs does not celebrate his half-birthday until November). That is not the way you want to go about winning ballgames. And when Blake DeWitt hit a bases clearing triple in the first inning, it was about time for a curtain call for "The Ageless" Jamie Moyer.

The Dodgers looked down and out coming here, being completely outclassed by the Phillies. And really, with a win here you could have put the proverbial nail in the coffin that would have been Dodgers' fans' dreams. But instead, the Dodgers showed some spunk and fought back, and hard. I'm skimming over the third inning scuffle in favor of the baseball part of the game, which, after the first two innings was damn quiet. Again the pitching of these two teams, especially the bullpens, live up to their billing.

One scary thing for Dodger fans, is that Ryan Howard went 2-4 with a double. The Phillies have been able to get through two wins without a lot of contribution from Howard in the middle of that lineup, but if he gets himself going it will mean problems for the Dodgers pitching, and whatever poor hurler will have to face him in the World Series.

Win: Hiroki Kuroda (1-0, 3.00)
Loss: Jamie Moyer (0-1, 40.50)
Player of the Game: Great Question. Let's go with the Dodger fans here. I did this with the Brewers last time and again, I think the fans would not allow the Dodgers to lose this game, and playing at home is why the Dodgers came out on fire.


Game 4: Bullpen Collapse.
Phillies 7 - Dodgers 5

And it finally happened. The Dodgers' bullpen, which had been great all playoffs finally collapsed. And in the meantime, Shayne Victorino has catapulted himself into playoff stud-dom with a game tying two run homerun in the 8th off of the usually steady Cory Wade. Three batters later, Matt Stairs (two mentions in one column - UNBELIEVABLE!) hits a two run shut off of Dodger closer Jonathan Broxton to give the Phillies a 7-5 lead.

The Dodger bullpen went 11.1 innings without letting up a run in the first three games - and something had to give. Lidge got a 4 out save - Wade and Broxton let up three runs combined. Interestingly, both Wade and Broxton pitched in Game 3, despite having a cozy 5 run lead. Interesting choice by Torre, which did not pay dividends today.

I believe that there is some advantage to seeing the same closers over and over again during a 7 game series. Relief pitchers need to pitch like starters, holding back their pitches and not pitching nearly the same way appearance to appearance. It's a different beast, the playoffs. A different beast.

In fact, Torre said before the game that he wanted to stop the Phil's "big inning." Nice job, Torre. He blows out bullpens like it's nobody's business. That's why Rivera was vulnerable in the playoffs. Why the Sox were able to crawl back from 3-0 to win. As good a manager as Torre can be, he does not manage his bullpen well, and never has. And here we are again, three innings in Game 3 from guys he needed in Game 4, where they failed.

So the Phillies take a 3-1 lead into Game 5. Worst case scenario, they have two chances at home to win this series. Now here's the question: does Manny's experience here help his young team? Or does Philly ride this wave and keep on winning? I think I'm coming around to Philly.

Win: Ryan Madson (1-0, 0.00)
Loss: Cory Wade (0-1, 6.00)
Save: Brad Lidge (3)
Player of the Game: Matt Stairs and Shayne Victorino for two CLUTCH homeruns.

Written by Mouse Clicker, Kyle Baxter