NLCS Preview

The NLCS will begin tomorrow in Los Angeles. The Phillies beat the Dodgers in the NLCS last year in 5 games but this year the Dodgers have the homefield. Clayton Kershaw will start game 1, the Phillies have not announced their rotation yet but it will probably be Cole Hammels. The Phillies may choose to break up the lefties and that would open up a shot for Joe Blanton to pitch game 2 with the Cliff Lee in game 3 and maybe Pedro Martinez in game 4 otherwise they would throw J.A. Happ. I think the Dodgers have more depth in their rotation and a better bullpen, the Phillies weakness is their bullpen at least in the backend although they think they may have straightened Brad Lidge out. It remains to be seen as the stakes are even higher now. The Phillies have the clear advantage in the lineup and with their power but the Dodgers lineup isn't terrible especially if Manny Ramirez continues to hit like he did in Game 3. I think the Dodgers will win this series in 6 and set up a Yankees/Dodgers World Series which would be one for the ages. I do think the Phillies would be a better team if they had a closer so it is possible that Brad Lidge steps up and then I could see the Phillies winning this series but right now I wouldn't trust him or anyone else who may close for them. It looks like Joe Torre will be retiring after this year so this may be the best chance for him to return to NY and face his former employer and the team that made him what he is. The Dodgers will be starting Kershaw in GAme 1 who is the 2nd youngest starter for them in postseason history and they have a long history. Cole Hammels doesn't seem to be the same pitcher as he was last year but he is looking to rebound in the NLCS.

Playoff excitement

The Yankees had the day off and not much was going on at Yankee Stadium. The talk today was mostly about A.J., Molina and Posada as you would expect. I know a lot of people are making a big deal out of this but the bottom line is this, if A.J. Burnett pitches a good game the Yankees will win and it won't matter that Molina was catching him and doesn't do much offensively. I also was suprised that a lot of the talk radio today were people calling in and bashing Jorge Posada. I know he isn't the best defensive catcher and he never has been but lets not get carried away. He was won several championships as the starting catcher for this team and he is the emotional leader. His bat is a big plus and he will be missed when he retires. Joel Sherman of the Post was breaking news tonight that it looks like Joba will stay in the bullpen for the entire playoffs if they get past this round and Chad Gaudin would get the game 4 start in the ALCS. I think if Joba is lights out out of the pen this is the move to make. The Yankees can have a dominate pen for the last 3 innings and really shorten the games. I would expect the Yankees to have the same lineup tomorrow and I will be going to the game but will try to post the gamepost and all of that before hopefully. It is expected to rain but it may not be enough to affect anything. The Rockies defeated the Phillies this afternoon to tie the series at 1-1 headed back to Colorado. The Dodgers defeated the Cardinals to take a 2-0 series lead. The Dodgers should of lost they had 2 outs and no one on when Matt Holliday made a terrible play turning a sinking line drive in to a 2 base error instead of the last out and then the Dodgers got a walk, wildpitch, and 2 hits and won the game. It looks like the Dodgers may sweep now although it is headed back to St Louis. The Redsox and Angels are playing game 1 right now.

Pitching Matchups for playoff series

L.A. vs Boston Game 1 Lester vs Lackey Game 2 Beckett vs Weaver Game 3 Bucholz vs Kazmir Game 4 Lester vs Saunders L.A. vs St. Louis Game 1 Carpenter vs Wolf Game 2 Wainwright vs Kershaw Game 3 Piniero vs TBA Philly vs Colorado Game 1 Jiminez vs Lee Game 2 Hammels vs Cook My Predictions Yanks in 4 Angels in 5 Dodgers in 5 Phillies in 4 ALCS: Yanks over Angels in 6 NLCS: Dodgers over Phillies in 6 WS: Yanks over Dodgers in 6