NLCS Gameday: Dodgers at Phillies, Game 3
Posted by Amanda Orr, Sun, October 18, 2009 07:30 PM | Comments: 362
Gameday 2009, Posts
Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) at Philadelphia Phillies (1-1) 
Hiroki Kuroda, RHP vs. Cliff Lee, LHP
Time: 8:07 p.m at Dodger Stadium
Weather: 70% chance of rain, 37
TV: TBS
Twitter: Phillies Nation
The National League Championship Series moves to Philadelphia after the Phillies and Dodgers split the first two games. The first game featured home runs from Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez. Despite a stellar performance by Pedro Martinez, the Phillies blew a 1-0 lead thanks to a throwing error by Chase Utley. After an off day, the series returns with Hiroki Kuroda and Cliff Lee on the mound.
From one extreme to another, weather will be a factor. The weather was beautiful in Los Angeles; 93 degrees and sunny. It’ll be the complete opposite in Philly: cold and rainy. The frigid temperatures didn’t seem to bother Lee in game four of the division series. “I think that affects the hitter more than the pitcher,” Lee said.
Lee has been streaky since joining the Phillies. He went a perfect 5-0 with an ERA under one in his first five starts, but scuffled towards the end of the year posting an ERA over six. Right now, he’s in a hot streak. In 16.1 innings during the NLDS, Lee allowed only two earned runs. Lee’s only start against the Dodgers came in his Cy Young year. He pitched seven shutout innings before exiting after allowing a one-run single.
Lee has benefited from the hometown crowd, posting a 2.52 ERA at Citizens Bank Park. However, Lee will have to watch out for Manny Ramirez. Ramirez is 6-for-14 (.429) with two home runs against the lefty.
Kuroda will make his second postseason start against the Phillies, with the last coming in 2008′s NLCS. Kuroda will forever be known as the pitcher who threw at Shane Victorino’s head, but also leading the Dodgers to their lone NLCS victory that year. He pitched six innings allowing two runs in 08′s NLCS, but that is only a small portion of his success against the Phillies. In three starts, Kuroda is 1-0 with a 0.95 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and .100 BAA against the Phillies in his career. He has struck out 17 Phillies in 19 innings.
Kuroda tossed six shutout innings against the Phillies earlier this year, but there is uncertainty surrounding this start. Kuroda will be pitching for the first time in over three weeks due to a herniated disk in his neck. Kuroda also suffered an oblique injury and was hit in the head with a line drive this season.
While Manny is always a threat for the Dodgers, Ruiz has been the biggest threat this postseason. Ruiz is 7-for-18 (.389) with a home run, six RBI, and a stolen base during the 2009 playoffs.
“I’ve got all the faith in the world in our team. It’s going to be a good series, guys. This series by no means is over. It’s going to be a tough series,” Charlie Manuel said.
Break out the rally towels. Home-field advantage starts now.
Tonight’s Lineup: Rollins (SS), Victorino (CF), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (LF), Feliz (3B), Ruiz (C), Lee (P).
Your Gameday Beer – Franziskaner
Why Franziskaner? Because I’m drinking one right now. And my mom likes it, and she hates beer, so it’s that good. Brewed in Munich, it’s not too heavy and not too light, and gives off a nice wheat flavor. Enjoy with a pork tenderloin and celebrate a Phillies victory. – By Pat
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Ed R.
For me, its not about saving Lee’s arm to throw him on short rest but rather, he is at a career high in innings…we saw what that has done to Hamels. If we expect at minimum one more start from Lee this series, if we make it to the next round, you have one or two more starts, I am thinking more long term and with this game being what it is…why not? Then again, they have to play tomorrow so why use the pen if you don’t have too?
Playing devils advocate I guess. Thank heaven there is a needless day off in between games 4 and 5.
Posted: 10:16 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
jeez Joe…6 kids. Do you and the wife do anything but have children? When are you two going to have your own reality show?
Posted: 10:17 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Colorado Joe
I think Lee completes 8 innings. This game is terrific. (My negative comment is that I can’t believe Manny has two hits. Ugghh!) Ok now back to Woo Hoo!!! 8 zip!
Posted: 10:17 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Thanks Morris, funny you say that, because my 2 year old daughter was helping us get used to not sleeping last night. LOL. @ray, I should upload pictures of my basement on here. LOL. People think just because my name had “of CO” in it, I am not a realy Phan. Hmm. Well my sons room is Red White and Blue with a big Phillies fathead in the middle. I have the ’08 World Champions onsie for him to come home in! My basement was kind of a hodge podge of Hunter Green for the Eagles, and Red white and Blue for the Phillies. How can any “patriot” (I mean patriot as a military member and not the New England Cheaters) not like the Phillies when they are Red, White and Blue!
Posted: 10:18 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
i said that in an earlier post ed….he has pitched a lot you’re going to need him more obviously …i wish charlie would take him out after 7 but i’m not thinking he will
Posted: 10:18 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
congrats to you and your wife Brian! Here’s to happy and healthy!
Posted: 10:18 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Ed R. – No way….let the stallion run. Blanton hasn’t started in a while…keep the bullpen as fresh as possible just in case Blanton is a little shaky…
Posted: 10:19 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
You would think with all of the bad pitching in the MLB right now, the networks would push for less days off because more bad pitchers would be throwing and there would be more high scoring games.
But we all need the off days so that we can more Yankees games.
Posted: 10:19 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
JoeDad— I think your prediction may come true. ( Phils score more then Birds.)
Posted: 10:20 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Brian – Congrats.
Posted: 10:21 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
I would leave lee for 8 and give lidge the ball in the 9th. let him close this out and get more confidence.
Brian of CO: you decide on a name? Harry?
Posted: 10:21 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Tch, so close.
Posted: 10:22 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Panda Farts! almost
Posted: 10:22 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
ray is correct about Amaro. I will say I was VERY harsh on Amaro BEFORE the season. Letting Pat the Bat go, seemed a little distant, just didnt seem right to me, but I was COMPLETELY wrong! Amaro has done a hell of a job. I remember alot of people were baching him because Ibanez was a lefty, and a lefty heavy lineup and everything. Ironically enough, the lefty heavy line-up just might be what has helped us or will help us a the remainder of the post season continues. Too bad for Utley, that would be one freakin way to get everyone to forget the bad games.
Posted: 10:22 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
I think Lee stays as long as he’s keeping his count down. Like Charlie says….we play for today. We don;t think about yesterday or get ahead of ourselves about tomorrow. So for today, his job is to pitch as long as he can in a healthy manner.
Posted: 10:23 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
joedad if you’re wife’s name did rhyme with six you could have a reality show called joedad and (wife’s name) plus six…lol…i couldn’t think of a woman’s name that rhymed with six though …now you’re name makes a lot of sense
Posted: 10:23 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
Taking Lee out is total damned if you do, damned if you don’t. But the guy has given up 2 hits. And there is a possibility the Phillies are only play 2 more games over the 9 days.
Posted: 10:23 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Sam
congrats Brian.
Damn! Utley HR robbed by Kemp
Posted: 10:23 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
@ stuart I suggest some names that came from the Phillies (except Chase because thats my nephews name), but she caught on and shot down every single one of them. So we settled on Brian Jr.
Posted: 10:25 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
i was going to say if lee’s pitch count isn’t too high i would leave him in but he has logged a ton of innings this year and he did go into a slump after dominating when he came over here
Posted: 10:26 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Morris Buttermaker I think you jinxed Lee, LOL. Just as you said 2 hits, he gives up the third hit. LOL
Posted: 10:27 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
I’m almost hoping that the Dodgers score 1 so that Charlie can take Lee out. I just don’t see him doing it while he’s pitching a shut-out. A shut-out, complete game is a big deal.
Posted: 10:29 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
Hmmm… no mention of the chant going on?
Posted: 10:29 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
The only thing that scares me is that in the lst two games so far the Dodgers have only scored 2 runs, and those two really were because of an error honestly. I am afraid they “turn it on”.
Posted: 10:29 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
congrats Brian.
Posted: 10:29 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
Loving the chant I hear now.
Posted: 10:29 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
LOL, nah doesnt rhyme with six. Our life is too normal to be on TV.
I’d like to see Lee complete the game but would be OK to see the pen in there for the last inning or last 2 to keep Lee somewhat more fresh for a potential game 7 or opening WS game.
Posted: 10:29 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 dj
What are the fans yelling about Manny?
Posted: 10:30 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I cant hear the chant what is it?
Posted: 10:30 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
Brian…let’s hope his name is win!
Posted: 10:30 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
why was manny taking all the way on a 1-1 count?
Posted: 10:31 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
On my TV, it is a very clear “You used steroids!”
Posted: 10:31 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
What’s the chant? I missed it
Posted: 10:31 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Well I just hope Ed R was correct a while back that his nickname will be “Champ”.
Posted: 10:32 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
You took steroids!
I think.
Posted: 10:32 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
They’re apparently saying “You took steroids”
Posted: 10:32 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Shouldnt it be more like “You take Estrogen”? LOL.
Posted: 10:32 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
it sounded like they were saying Rueben Amaro
Posted: 10:33 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
That’s what’s floating around the twittersphere, at least.
Posted: 10:33 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I think thats what he tested positive for was womend fertility drugs. LOL
Posted: 10:33 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
“You used steroids!” Love it.
Posted: 10:33 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Oh I will be right…I will be!!!
Cliff Lee is the jeweler because he deals in gems!!
Posted: 10:33 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
My tv has great sound and plays background noise very clearly. It can be strange sometimes. I can always hear stadium music and announcements fairly clearly.
Posted: 10:34 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Lee is getting close to the magich 100
Posted: 10:34 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
Lee in the 8th?
Posted: 10:35 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
Take Lee out? I would let him pitch tomorrow too.
Posted: 10:35 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
Lee just went over 100, maybe 102 or 103.
Posted: 10:36 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Dave
Put in K.K.
Posted: 10:36 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 pmacdo
hes got the whole game
Posted: 10:36 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
103 pitches great game lee!!! see you next start
boy if there wasn’t an eagles game today we would’ve had a record for positive comments on here
Posted: 10:36 PM on October 18, 2009