NLCS Game 4 : Phillies (2-1) At Dodgers
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, October 13, 2008 06:07 PM | Comments: 859
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Game 4 : National League Championship Series
Phillies lead 2-1
Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
8:22 p.m. / 73, sunny
Joe Blanton (9-12, 4.69 ERA) vs. Derek Lowe (14-11, 3.24 ERA)
Derek Lowe returns to the mound for the Dodgers, and Joe Blanton will try and soothe Phils’ fans souls with a win as Philly and Los Angeles hooks up for game four of the NLCS.
The teams were close to blows Sunday night; hopefully that won’t be the case tonight. Blanton throws inside as part of his repertoire, so we’ll see how the Dodgers respond.
News & Notes
Lowe started game one, cruised through five, then surrendered two home runs and lost, 3-2. … Blanton started last eight days ago, giving up one run and defeating the Brewers in the clinching game of the NLDS. …Jayson Werth is another struggling Phillie hitter in the NLCS, going .167 so far. … Pedro Feliz also has two hits in the NLCS. … Greg Dobbs is starting at third base tonight.
The Lineup
Jimmy Rollins / SS
Jayson Werth / RF
Chase Utley / 2B
Ryan Howard / 1B
Pat Burrell / LF
Shane Victorino / CF
Greg Dobbs / 3B
Carlos Ruiz / C
Joe Blanton / P
Your Gamenight Beer
Have I said how much I love Sierra Nevada beers? Yes, I have. The Stout is awesome. And since Joe Blanton is tossing the rubber tonight, it’s always good to go with a stout. Eat some chili tonight. Hearty, beefy chili. And let’s go Phils!
Go Phillies!
Posts: 0 Clare
We’ve so got this!!!
Posted: 06:13 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
Patience at the plate lay off the junk and a solid perfromance from Blanton…these are the keys to the game tonight. Lets go Phils!!!
Posted: 06:15 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
We need Joe to give us six or seven solid innings with 2 or less runs. Patience at the plate will yield be the key.
Posted: 06:20 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
This game is going to be VERY tough. I know we got over on Lowe last game, and he’s going on 3 day’s rest, but I can’t see Lowe losing 2 straight games.
Posted: 06:34 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
I hope we kick their asses this game though! They deserve it after lastnight…Lets go Phils!!
Posted: 06:35 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
Nothing at this point will come easy. We’re not playing the Nationals or Braves here…the Dodgers are the only other NL team still left in this dance, so every game will be tough. Then, if we’re fortunate enough to get to the Big Dance, the same can be said for those two.
Even so, we match up well with the Dodgers, and if all goes as planned, we’ll be up 3-1 at the end of the night.
GO PHILS!
Posted: 06:39 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 adam
like the lineup shift to mix things up tonight. definitely gonna need Dobbs’ left handed bat. Werth needs to shake off his drought against RHP. GO PHILS. THIS ONE IS BIG.
Posted: 06:40 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 MP
If Joe Blanton comes up big like his last start, I think this series is gonna end in LA tomorrow. If he runs into some trouble and can’t shut down LA’s offense, I think we take Wednesday night’s game out there into clinching on Friday here.
Posted: 06:56 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Ryan
LET’S GO PHILLIES!!!
Screw midterms, I’m watching the NLCS!
Posted: 06:56 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I like the lineup tonight – I’m a huge fan of Dobbs, especially with the RHP.
Blanton not having pitched in awhile could be a concern. I’m still not completely sold on him. I think his success tonight will probably be largely dictated by the offense. Having a big lead relatively early in Game 4 of the NLDS certainly helped settle him in on the mound. If the offense struggles in the first few innings, I see the same happening to Blanton.
The offense has to be patient tonight against Lowe. Hopefully seeing him for the second time in 5 days will help them get a better feel against him. The more patient we are, the better the chances Lowe will tire/become frustrated and leave a sinker or 2 up for us to pound.
Posted: 06:56 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
I’m also a big fan of Dobbs in the line-up tonight. I like Feliz’s defense, but Dobbs’ bat has been much more reliable.
Posted: 07:00 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 KM
We need Blanton to show up and pitch well tonight. He needs to keep us in the game, because I think runs will be sparse tonight.
4-2 Phils . . . Go Phils!
Posted: 07:30 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 KM
Starting Dobbs is a good idea, we are going to need all the offense we can get against Lowe. Also, I like having Feliz coming off the bench for a late inning defensive switch.
Posted: 07:34 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 dan
6-4 Phils tonight. Come-from-behind fashion, providing momentum into the clincher tomorrow. GOOOOOOO Phils!
Posted: 07:34 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 maxhole
is there any truth to a sinker ball pitcher having nastier stuff with a tired arm? could derek lowe’s junk be more effective if he’s tired.
also, its good to see dobbs in the lineup. he’s patient, and generally doesn’t swing at crap (hopefully lowe’s stuff sinks too low tonight). utley had two extra base hits off lowe in g1, and burrell seems to be consistent with the sinker that hangs over the plate. its also a cool night in LA tonight, might affect the action of the ball. good for blantons fast ball, no good for a off speed stuff
Posted: 07:43 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 J-Man
Blanton worries me because you never know what kinda start your gonna get out of him…I know he pitched well against the Brewers,but the Dodgers are a much better lineup then the Brewers and with Lowe pitching tonight that doesn’t make it any easier…Were gonna need our guys to go up there and be patient and not swing at the first pitches and strikeout on bad pitches.
Posted: 07:44 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 T Marty
Go Fat Joe! Us fellow huskies are rootin’ for ya!
Posted: 07:48 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
My best friend went to the game last night in LA. Flew out there.
He was physically assaulted by Dodgers fans. He said many Phillies fans there were assaulted. In his case, he was grabbed on the shoulder by one Dodger fan while another shouldered and then elbowed him in the ribs on purpose.
And we’re the bad ones, right?
Posted: 07:48 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
SJ Mike, you should let that scumbag Simers know that.
Posted: 07:53 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Phil, Simers will probably just say that it was a Phillies fan wearing Dodgers blue.
I’m done with Simers. He’s not worth my effort.
This Chevy Pregame Show is such a Dodgers-Love Fest.
Posted: 07:56 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Joe
Man these Fox announcers are already pissing me off with their biased ways…
Posted: 07:57 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
It really is. It’s disgusting. I wish the Flyers weren’t on so I could watch a pregame show on comcast.
Posted: 07:57 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
What’s a good over/under for the word “Manny” being used from the first pitch of the game to the last pitch?
Posted: 07:58 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Keith
go Phillies!!!
Posted: 08:00 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Such Dodgers frontrunners they are.
Phil, when my friend called me, he was clearly upset. And he is someone who will never instigate anything with anybody. He went to a very diverse college. His friends range from Yankees to Dodgers fans, cross country.
He said it was the worst experience he’s ever had at a ballgame, even worse then we were at the Phillies/Mets at CBP back in April.
Posted: 08:03 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Wait, Mark Grace already called it. Dodgers are winning 3 in a row now. Mark Grace said it, so it must be true.
Posted: 08:04 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Wilson
maxhole, the idea is usually that a sinker ball pitcher is able to keep the ball down and stay on top of it easier when his arm is a little broken in, like an inning or two, and while they can keep it down easier, it doesn’t have the same “bite” as when their arm is fresh. So I don’t know how that affects a pitcher on short rest, I’d say its a wash
Posted: 08:05 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
Man, I want to bitch-slap Eric Karros. What a douchebag…”The Phillies will throw up and in” like there’s something wrong with that. What a couple of ass kisses. The FOX rah rah go Dodgers shit is starting early tonight.
Posted: 08:05 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
Both of these strappers on the pregame have conceded the next 2 games to the dodgers……never mind that Cole is going on Wednesday for us. I’m watching with a quick mute trigger tonight.
Posted: 08:07 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Keith
well Mark Grace said that LA would win game 4 and 5, but does he think Philly will win game 6 and 7?
Posted: 08:07 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
These jerk offs shouldn’t even be allowed to do commentary anymore. They are such tools.
Posted: 08:08 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
How bad is it that I wish we were on TBS
Posted: 08:08 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Not bad at all, Brian. Smoltz seemed to be behind the Phillies.
Posted: 08:09 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
I agree with you Brian. I’d even take Don Sutton or Joe Morgan over these ass clowns.
Posted: 08:09 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Keith
baseball players get so much money, that little fines don’t mean anything.
Posted: 08:09 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
I know I’d even welcome the Frank TV ads
Posted: 08:10 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Keith
why didn’t Russell Martin get fined? he was the one going crazy.
Posted: 08:10 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 I know Sal...
I wish they’d get a Phillies announcer in there (a/k/a Mitch Williams) who would call them on the carpet for the Dodger blowing bullshit. It makes me sick to listen to them.
Posted: 08:11 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 adam
we need to get on the board in the first to take some pressure off Blanton. its time for j roll to step up. no homerun swings- base hits baby.
Posted: 08:11 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 adam
hell, id listen to keith hernandez and ron darling over these clowns
Posted: 08:12 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
I know people dislike John Miller and Joe Morgan, but damn, at least they call a neutral game with their obvious comments!
Posted: 08:13 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
Finally, Sarge announcing the line-up. At least there’s one Philly supporter working with Fox tonight.
Posted: 08:14 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Did you see that smug grin on McCarver’s face after he said Blanton will be more affected by the up and in pitch calls?
Posted: 08:15 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 isaiah
Alright guys. Over under on “Manny” by McCarver and Buck comes in at +/- 74.
Posted: 08:15 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Keith
yea Rollins!
Posted: 08:16 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 I know Sal...
base hit…good start
Posted: 08:16 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Anybody listening to 1210, let me know if LA has any good zingers. I don’t have a radio with me to listen.
Posted: 08:17 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I’ll definitely take the OVER on that.
Posted: 08:17 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Yes, great start.
Posted: 08:19 PM on October 13, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Hit and run. I like it.
Posted: 08:20 PM on October 13, 2008