Philadelphia Phillies vs the Los Angeles Dodgers
Series Keys-
1- Home field- Both teams won all 4 games at their stadiums, Philly has the extra home game.
2- Bullpen- Phillies have a closer that was perfect in save situations with all star Brad Lidge. Dodgers have Jonathan Broxton(14 saves,13 holds, 8 blown saves), who took over mid season for the injured Takashi Saito. Relief corps very similiar outside of this HUGE advantage.
3- Star power- Phillies stars 2b Chase Utley and 1b Ryan Howard have slump issues. Utley’s power numbers have gone south since his red hot 1st half(25 homers,69 rbi vs 8 & 35) while Howard struggled in the opening series.(.182 avg,1 rbi)
4- Manny Ramirez- MVP of Dodgers after quitting in Boston. Hidden factor helping Phillies in the fact that Manager Charlie Manuel was with Ramirez in Cleveland and the two remain very close.
5- Team speed- Both clubs have players that run and are among the top 5 in the NL. (Philly 3rd,LA 4th) SS Jimmy Rollins and CF Shane Victorino led the Phillies while OFs Juan Pierre, Matt Kemp and even C Russell Martin top the LA thieves. Keep in mind SS Rafael Furcal missed over 120 games and has 259 career steals. Pressure on both clubs catchers and staffs to keep the running game under control.
Wildcard players-
Dodgers RF Andre Ether(who has take off since Ramirez joined LA) and ex Dodger Jayson Werth for Philadephia. Will both be challenged as alternatives to stars killing the opposition.
Pick- I liked the Phillies going into the Postseason to come out of the NL. The Cubs folded under pressure, I do not see the talented Phillies doing the same. Phillies in 6.
