NLCS: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Coaching: Joe Torre (LAD)-Charlie Manuel (PHI)
Joe Torre has won four rings and made the post season each of the past 13 seasons, including this season with a young team. Charlie Manuel makes peculiar decisions, but has led his team to the NL East two years straight.
Advantage: Joe Torre (LAD)
First Base: James Loney (LAD) (.289,13,90) PS (.214,1,6)-Ryan Howard (PHI) (.251,48,146) PS (.182,0,1)
Loney delivered the grand slam that propelled the Dodgers in game one, but did not do much else in the series, going 2-for-13 outside that hit. Howard did not fare much better, but worked five walks in 16 plate appearances, including one with two outs that set up Pat Burrell's homerun. With the way Howard has been swinging the bat lately, the Dodgers would be smart to not face him.
Advantage: Ryan Howard (PHI)
Second Base: Blake DeWitt (LAD) (.264,9,52) PS (.273,0,1)-Chase Utley (PHI) (.292,33,104) PS (.133,0,2)
DeWitt is filling in for the injured Jeff Kent. Utley IS the best second baseman in baseball. This one goes to Philly, but Utley needs to hit better. He is 4-of-26 in the post season, which means Ryan Howard often is coming to the plate with no men on base.
Advantage: Chase Utley (PHI)
Shortstop: Rafael Furcal (LAD) (.357,5,16) PS (.333,0,2)-Jimmy Rollins (PHI) (.277,11,59) PS (.375,0,1)
Perhaps the most intriguing position matchup. Furcal has returned from the disabled list and his drag bunt set up the Dodger's big inning against Carlos Zambrano in game two. J-Rol is raking the ball, going 6-for-16. Both have speed and cause havoc on the basepath. I'm going to go with Furcal on this one just because he is more vital to his team's success I believe than Rollins and can change the game. Furcal needs to get on to set things off for the Dodgers, who have some good players and one great one (Manny). Jimmy has so mch protection in that lineup and others who can pick up the slack.
Advantage: Rafael Furcal (LAD)
Third Base: Casey Blake (LAD) (.274,21,81) PS (.273,0,2)-Pedro Feliz (.249,14,58) PS (.231,0,1)
Feliz is known more for his glove than his bat, as evident by his low batting average. this season. Blake had a nice season overall, but his numbers were worse with the Dodgers. Considering Blake had an overall better season, the edge goes to him.
Advantage: Casey Blake (LAD)
Left Field: Manny Ramirez (LAD) (.332,37,121) PS (.500,2,3)-Pat Burrell (.250,33,86) PS (.250,2,4)
Manny Ramirez has the most homeruns in post season history. End of story.
Advantage: Manny Ramirez (LAD)
Centerfield: Matt Kemp (LAD) (.290,18,76) PS (.154,0,1)-Shane Victorino (.293,14,58) PS (.357,1,5)
I believe Kemp is a better player, but Victorino's speed is such an asset. He covers great ground in center and provides speed at the bottom of the lineup. He also had the big grand slam off C.C. Sabathia that gave the Phillies game two. Kemp is a great player, but Victorino has the advantage.
Advantage: Shane Victorino (PHI)
Right field: Andre Eithier (.305,20,77) PS (.100,0,0)-Jayson Werth (.273,24,67) PS (.313,1,1)
Eithier has greater promise, but I like the way Werth is swinging the bat, especially against lefty pitching. With Utley and Howard's problems against lefties, Werth provides the needed bat to counter that. He also seems to come up with big hit after big hit
Advantage: Jayson Werth (PHI)
Catcher: Russell Martin (LAD) (.280,13,69) PS (.308,1,5)-Carlos Ruiz (PHI) (.231,4,19) PS (.071,0,0)
Perhaps the greatest mismatch in the series. Martin is an emerging star in the game. Ruiz can barely hit his weight.
Advantage: Russell Martin (LAD)
Core players advantage: Tie 4-4
Bench: LAD (Angel Berroa, Juan Pierre, Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent)-PHI (Geoff Jenkins, Chris Coste, Greg Dobbs, Eric Bruntlett, Matt Stairs)
The Phillies have better talent on the bench due to Garciaparra's and Kent's health. The only real difference maker is Pierre who can steal. Overall, though, the Phillies have some boppers in Genkins and Stairs.
Advantage: Philadelphia Phillies
Starting Pitching: Los Angeles Dodgers 1) Derek Lowe, 14-11 3.24; 1-0 3.00); 2)Chad Billingsley (16-10, 3.14; 1-0, 1.35); Hiroki Kuroda (9-10, 3.73; 1-0, .00) ;4) Clayton Kerhaw (5-5, 4.26; NA)------Philadelphia Phillies 1) Cole Hamels (14-10, 3.09; 1-0, .000); 2) Brett Myers (10-13, 4.55; 1-0, 2.57) 3)Jamie Moyer (16-7, 3.71; 0-1, 4.50) 4)Joe Blanton (9-12, 4.96; 1-0, 1.50)
When it comes to pithing, the Phillies have the edge. Lowe is the only Dodgers pitcher (outside Greg Maddux, who is not in the rotation) with experience. Hamels and Myers are a good duo at the top, and Moyer slides in nicely in the three hold. The Dodgers, though, as Billingsley is a good up and coming pitcher as is Kershaw. Overall, though, I believe the Phillies have stronger pitching in terms of quality and experience.
Advantage: Philadelphia Phillies
Bullpen: LAD (Takashi Saito, Joe Beimel, John Broxton, Hong Chih-Kuo)-PHI (Brad Lidge, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, Ryan Madson)
The Phillies have the advantage in closing with Lidge, who has yet to blow a save, but the feeling that he will blow a big game lurks in my mind. There middle relief is suspect as well. The Dodgers on the other hand, have great arms coming constantly out of the pen pumping fire. Kuo, who will be used to get out Utley and Howard, struck out 96 in 80 innings.
Advantage: Los Angeles Dodgers
Synopsis: The Phillies are the better team. No doubt about that. But there is something about a Joe Torre team with Manny Ramirez that just seems to have a swagger. The Phillies will not go down without a fight, but that bullpen is suspect and Myers and Blanton could come up soft. I don't think Howard will have a big series either, puting more pressure on Pat the Bat and the rest of the lineup. The Dodgers are firing on all cylinders and advanced to the world series.
Prediction: Dodgers in Six
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