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 j reed
He has to go the CO Game Shut-Out Glory
Posted: 10:59 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
ray, we finally figured out what isd takes to have no negative comments and no Rodger Dodger, Spankee Yankee trolls, just win 8-0. LOL
Posted: 11:01 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
Yeah – it was a costly error, but you’re not going to win many games when you don’t score more than one run.
Posted: 11:01 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
morris – i guess they were being territorial
Posted: 11:01 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
Utley looks really flat. Hope he isnt hurt.
Posted: 11:02 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
@ joedad, I think you mean Spankmee Yankmee…LOL
Posted: 11:02 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
(My comment was to Brian.)
Posted: 11:02 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
Morris…thanks for that article.
Posted: 11:03 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
is charlie pushing it with Lee????
Posted: 11:03 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
They’re playing Lee!
Posted: 11:04 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
hehehehehe
Posted: 11:05 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Cliff Lee is a God in Red Pinstripes. There is no denying it.
Posted: 11:05 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
guess not! but they better put in a pinch runner. He cannot risk injury!!! Shut Out or not!!!!
Posted: 11:05 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
LEEEE!! everybody hits!
I told you guys way back in the 6th that Charlie would never take him out while he was dealing a shut-out.
Posted: 11:05 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
well f*** me running ….
Posted: 11:05 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
Joe Dad…… can you give me the mega ball prediction?
Looks like your some kind of a prophit.
Posted: 11:07 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
HAHAHAHAHA!!! THE THRILL OF VICTORINO!!!
Posted: 11:08 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
Shane!!!
Posted: 11:08 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
VICTORINO!!!! Thanks for getting Lee out of harm’s way! And save some runs for tomorrow night!
Posted: 11:08 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
HOLY CRAP!
Posted: 11:08 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Hey guys, save some runs for me to watch on Wednesday!
Posted: 11:08 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Posted: 11:08 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
joedad Says:
October 18th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Prediction: Phils score more than the Pigeons did today.
Man oh man that joedad guy is a genius, LOL
Posted: 11:08 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I sure as hell hope that this current outburst is it for the series. I hope they keep going tomorrow. (Theres that negative comment for you guys.) ;)
Posted: 11:09 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Sam
you know you’re football team did poorly if the baseball team outscores you.
Way to go shane! Guys, please save runs for tomorrow and Wednesday!
Posted: 11:09 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
GO FOR THE KILL….That one laned in some macadamia farm in Hawaii
Posted: 11:10 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
Victorino’s coffee cup–anyone else see him with it in the dug out?
Booze in a coffee cup perhaps?
Posted: 11:10 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
Joe Dad ……….I really want your maga ball prediction.
Posted: 11:11 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
You think Ruiz would have had that one as well? LOL.
Posted: 11:11 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
I don’t know about genius lol but he seems to be pretty bright…
why do I feel like these 11 runs are really going to bite us in the butt tomorrow…?
Hopefully not.
Posted: 11:11 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I sure as hell hope you are wrong Ed R.
Posted: 11:12 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
That sounds like PEDRO in the background?
Posted: 11:13 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Phils are a confident offense and put up some crooked numbers in mutliple innings. No doubt they can bring this tomorrow.
What are the fans chanting now?
Posted: 11:14 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
me too….so badly do I hope I am wrong.
Posted: 11:14 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
I’ll be so happy to log into this site and see Cliff Lee for the Ashburn in place of Chase Utley for the Jeltz.
Posted: 11:16 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
OK – I was wrong about Lee finishing the game. (And I’m glad.)
Posted: 11:17 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Keeg
i think it was a$$hole
Posted: 11:17 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
now c’mon Ed….we had such a positive thing going here! It felt like the summer of love!
Posted: 11:17 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
We should of swept this team. Good pitching will be the Dodgers.
Posted: 11:17 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
You know the Phillies are an emotional passionate bunch as well (much like us the PHANS). Last year they were playing for Chollies mother and Victorinos grandmother. This year, lets do it for Harry Kalas boys! RIP! That looked like a NASTY slider.
Posted: 11:17 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
bring Lee BACK!!!! LOL
Posted: 11:18 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
I predict no more games in L.A.
Posted: 11:19 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
beat
Posted: 11:19 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Nice article on the rubber ducks Morris
Posted: 11:19 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
I know we dont have much to complain about but I will say one thing. Does charlie really have any idea what hes doing sometimes? Why let Lee bat only to take him out? Give one of our bench players an AB to keep their timing going. Not sure why he did that. And if youre going to put someone in. I would put Lidge in. Any work for Lidge that wil end successfully is good work. Dont understand Manuels reasoning. I never do.
Posted: 11:19 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
with 1 out left and a lead like this, CBP is still packed. LOL.
Posted: 11:20 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
mycruzincooler.com Says:
October 18th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I predict no more games in L.A.
Atta boy!
Posted: 11:20 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
charlie could have taken lee out while on base……really would have got the phans cheering!
Posted: 11:22 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
CHOOOOOOOCH!!!!!!!
Posted: 11:22 PM on October 18, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
great catch chooch….should have let Lee go for the CG glory….
Posted: 11:23 PM on October 18, 2009