MLB Playoffs
9-3, +5875
10* LAD-107
Dodgers at bat: Two recent changes have revitalized and renewed the Dodgers offense. Rafael Furcal's return from a back injury was an enormous boon in the NLDS, as Furcal reached base seven times and scored four runs. He combines with Russell Martin to create a textbook top of the lineup, with two on-base threats who can run. And of course Manny Ramirez has changed the look of the middle of the order, providing a dangerous bat in the three-spot. The Dodgers are a heavily right-handed-hitting team, which would seem to neutralize Phillies lefties Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer -- except that the even more right-handed Brewers couldn't do anything against those two southpaws.
Phillies at bat: Conversely, the Phils feature some serious left-handed punch, while going up against a heavily right-handed staff. The Phillies are a power-and-patience team. They scored the third-most runs despite the 10th-best batting average, which tells you all you need to know about how they score. However, the Dodgers should counter that very well. They issued the second-fewest walks in the NL and allowed the fewest home runs. If any staff can contain the dangerous Phils, it may be this one.
[SIZE=-1]
A quick recap of the keys to this series:
1.) Game 1 – the Phillies need to win Game 1 with Hamels on the mound at home.
2.) Kuo – the Dodgers could really use the services of their lefty reliever.
3.) Werth & Victorino – the Phillies offense is solid without these two, but devastating when both are contributing (see NLDS).
4.) Defense – both teams will rely on their defense to make plays and avoid extended stress on the arms.
Prediction:
I really believe strongly in the Dodgers conviction this post-season. I hate to keep harping on it but if they win Game One, they have a decisive advantage heading back to Los Angeles, even if Game Two doesn’t go their way. Joe Torre’s experience and calm demeanor will also help LA.
Dodgers in Six[/SIZE]
9-3, +5875
10* LAD-107
Dodgers at bat: Two recent changes have revitalized and renewed the Dodgers offense. Rafael Furcal's return from a back injury was an enormous boon in the NLDS, as Furcal reached base seven times and scored four runs. He combines with Russell Martin to create a textbook top of the lineup, with two on-base threats who can run. And of course Manny Ramirez has changed the look of the middle of the order, providing a dangerous bat in the three-spot. The Dodgers are a heavily right-handed-hitting team, which would seem to neutralize Phillies lefties Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer -- except that the even more right-handed Brewers couldn't do anything against those two southpaws.
Phillies at bat: Conversely, the Phils feature some serious left-handed punch, while going up against a heavily right-handed staff. The Phillies are a power-and-patience team. They scored the third-most runs despite the 10th-best batting average, which tells you all you need to know about how they score. However, the Dodgers should counter that very well. They issued the second-fewest walks in the NL and allowed the fewest home runs. If any staff can contain the dangerous Phils, it may be this one.
[SIZE=-1]
A quick recap of the keys to this series:
1.) Game 1 – the Phillies need to win Game 1 with Hamels on the mound at home.
2.) Kuo – the Dodgers could really use the services of their lefty reliever.
3.) Werth & Victorino – the Phillies offense is solid without these two, but devastating when both are contributing (see NLDS).
4.) Defense – both teams will rely on their defense to make plays and avoid extended stress on the arms.
Prediction:
I really believe strongly in the Dodgers conviction this post-season. I hate to keep harping on it but if they win Game One, they have a decisive advantage heading back to Los Angeles, even if Game Two doesn’t go their way. Joe Torre’s experience and calm demeanor will also help LA.
Dodgers in Six[/SIZE]
ope:
