NLCS: Doyers and Philleeez Meng

Phillies and Dodgers open up the NLCS tommorow in Mannywood at 8:00 pm. Phillies are a shade off of their postseason brilliance from last year and the Dodgers have had it together for most of the season. Still this series is hard to call. Dodgers have a better end to end offensive lineup no doubt, but the the Philies' core lineup with Victirino, Utley Howard, and Werth is ridiculous. No offense to the Dodger rotation who seemed to able to handle the Cards offense (admitedly I thought they wouldn't be able to) but the Dodger's lack of a real "Ace" will probably be exposed more than once against that core of their lineup. The Phillies bullpen (spotlight on Brad Lidge) has in no way been its dominant self and the Dodgers should be able to rely on their guys to close games without a problem. Obvious advantage Dodgers, but which version of Manny will show up in the bottom of the 8th and 9th innings and how often will Manny's wild bunch be playing with the lead? Another swing factor here is Cole Hammels, if he pitches like Cole Hammels 2008 then the series is very different. The Philies are strong on the road and a strong game (7 innings and a 3 run lead - type of outing) from Hammels could put a heavy slant on the series, assuming Philadelphia will also win the Cliff Lee start. Dodgers however put the bats on at home and could easily rough up Hamels, especially if he pitches like he did against the Cards. What's going to give? Hamels of course had a child coming into the world against the Cards and went straight to the hospital when he was pulled. Assuming he has calmed down a bit he could easily come out slinging in LA, the same place where he secured a trip to the series for the Philies in 08. Prediction? No revenge for the Doyers this year, a closer series than 08 but Philies in 6.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."