For the second straight season, the Dodgers and Phillies will meet in the NLCS. This time around, the Dodgers have the home-field advantage although the two teams remain largely unchanged.
This promises to be solid match up, with this Dodgers team improved from the squad that was eliminated in five games a year ago. Additionally, the Phillies have had a myriad of issues with their bullpen and especially closer Brad Lidge.
Both lineups are potent, with both speed and the ability to hit the ball out of the park. The Dodgers will trot out two lefthanders - Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw - at least four times during the series in an attempt to neutralize the Phillies' lefthanded power. It appears that Kershaw and not Wolf will get the nod tomorrow night, a wise move by manager Joe Torre. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley is MIA and was left off the NLDS roster. Reports indicate he will be available in relief in this series. Regardless, the Dodgers are not counting on Billingsley to fill a rotation spot. Instead, Hiroki Kuroda will take his place.
I can't see this being a one-sided series like last year. I think the Dodgers will get the early 1-0 lead behind Kershaw tomorrow night and then drop game two heading back to Philly. There, I see the Phils taking two of three and then wrapping things up in Game six in LA.
There's something about the resilience of the Philadelphia Phillies. I firmly believe they are less talented than a year ago, yet more mature and more capable of winning it all. Despite their issues with the bullpen, Charlie Manuel seems to be able to steer the club around them and into the win column. They're going to repeat as NL champs.
Phillies in 6.
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