NLCS Gameday: Phillies at Dodgers, Game 1
Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 15, 2009 07:30 PM | Comments: 597
Gameday 2009, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies 
at Los Angeles Dodgers
Cole Hamels, LHP vs. Clayton Kershaw, LHP
Time: 8:07 p.m at Dodger Stadium
Weather: Clear, 69
TV: TBS
Twitter: Phillies Nation
The National League Championship Series begins tonight. For the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall (tied for the MLB record) the Phillies and the Dodgers are the last remaining teams in the senior circuit.
Cole Hamels, fresh off paternity leave, will take to
the hill tonight for the Phillies. His last game was certainly not his best postseason performance. In an abbreviated start against the Rockies last week, he allowed four runs on four hits in five innings. On the other hand, he was lights out against the Dodgers during the regular season with a complete game shutout at Chavez Ravine. Dodger hitters are .228/.261/. 368 lifetime with 31 hits and 29 strikeouts in 136 combined at bats.
The matchup on paper favors Cole; after that though, the bullpen numbers are not as favorable – particularly for Scott Eyre and more recently Brad Lidge. One could surmise that the longer Cole pitches, the better chance the Phillies have.
On the flip side, we have Clayton Kershaw – another young gun. Don’t let his 8-8 record (0-2 against the Phils) this season fool you, his 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7 homers in 171 games are the numbers to focus on tonight. This lefty is stingy with his fastball and nasty curve. He has a tendency to work the outside corner against lefties at the plate. We know this guy has good stuff but the question remains – can the 21-year old handle the pressure of the postseason and the Phillies lineup?
Tonight’s Lineup: Rollins (SS), Victorino (CF), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (LF), Feliz (3B), Ruiz (C), Hamels (P).
Your Gameday Beer – Kenzinger
Tonight the Philadelphia Brewery brings you Kenzinger, named after the lovely corner of the city known as Kensington. The beer evokes many of the same feelings as the 19125. Its retro facade hides a classic beer taste – yet it won’t go down without a strong bitter bite. Have some perogies alongside it for dinner, then sit back and enjoy some NLCS for dessert. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 chuckS
send in stairs!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 11:48 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 311 Corey Seidman
Regardless of the outcome, the Phillies have played back-to-back CLASSIC playoff games. Are we all in agreement?!
Posted: 11:48 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Ryan Howard
Just get me to the plate boys
Posted: 11:49 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 JG
AC, not so sure Park doesn’t deserve some support for game MVP, he prevented what could’ve been a huge momentum shift by avoiding a big inning in the 7th.
Posted: 11:49 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Thunder Lips
Last game was certainly classic and this game is certainly entertaining/exciting, but I wouldn’t classify tonight as “classic.”
Posted: 11:50 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 JG
Agreed Corey, but while these classics will be fun to watch with the kiddies in 10/15 years, they’re almost too stressful to watch live, ha.
Posted: 11:51 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
Let’s go phillies! Let’s Go Phillies! LET”S GO PHILLIES!!!!
Posted: 11:51 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
I ran into the bathroom and shut the door during the bottom of the 8th so I couldn’t hear anything, guess I’ll spend the bottom of the 9th in there too.
Posted: 11:51 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tommy from NY
Manny not being Manning anymore :(
Posted: 11:52 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
SHANE!
Posted: 11:52 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
RUN GEORGIE RUN TO THAT BATHROOM!!!!!
Posted: 11:53 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
Corey Seidman, I wouldnt really say toight is classic. tonight is one of the worst games I have watched on both teams parts. pitching cant do anything for either team. both teams look sloppy in the field. I wouldnt really call this a classic. I would call this a bad game for both teams. now last game against the rockies. that was a classic.
Posted: 11:53 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Thunder Lips
Steal Vic!
Posted: 11:53 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Ryan Howard
Again, Just get me to the plate boys
Posted: 11:53 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Well, partially true IMO Corey. This is classic because the Phillies are keeping the Dodgers in it. But even with that hats off (sadly) to the Dodgers for getting very timely hits after errors or maybe being caught out of position.
Posted: 11:54 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tommy from NY
Blow blow blow
Let’s go dodgers Let’s go dodgers Let’s go dodgers
Posted: 11:54 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Brooks
Phils will not give up! Watch Utley get on here
Posted: 11:55 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Madson won’t be back, he threw 31 pitches that last inning. Blanton might be warming, but it’ll be Lidge’s game to save.
“Tight strike zone.” There’s the understatement of the century. Jamie wouldn’t have lasted an inning with this strike zone.
Posted: 11:56 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
everyone say their prayers for the 9th
Posted: 11:58 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tommy from NY
Blow blow blow
Men!
Posted: 11:58 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Uh oh… They’re putting Lidge in for the whole inning instead of just the usual glory close…
Posted: 11:59 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tommy from NY
who will pitch and blow save in the btm of 9 inning?
Posted: 12:00 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 GWFightinsFan
ok here we go!!!!!
Posted: 12:00 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
In other words, commence consuming the Vladdy handle you keep for times like this.
Posted: 12:00 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Why am I not surprised a guy from NY is talking about blowing things. LOL.
Posted: 12:00 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
Tommy you can go now. We dont care about your posts.
Posted: 12:01 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
Mike D., I was thinking the same thing about Moyer.
I will wait and see if Lidge gets the first guy out, if not, I’ll be heading for the bathroom again.
Posted: 12:01 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
My bladder is weakening as we speak. Oh, jeez. Come on Lidge, I have all the phaith in the world in you.
Posted: 12:02 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
I know that I’ve been Mr. Negative tonite, but J-Roll needs to be dropped in this lineup. He is absolutely killing our O. We can’t continue to give the opp 4 easy outs a game. I say no higher than 7th ahead of only Feliz and the pitcher. The move may also give the buys more rbi opps and an additional ab as well. You would also give the white hot Chooch an extra ab as well. Madson: Thanks for the 2 extra heart attacks. Yours in the 8th and the one coming in the bottom of the 9th….
Posted: 12:02 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Here comes the Home run.
Posted: 12:02 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 AC in NJ
not fair…too bad for lidge.
Posted: 12:03 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
Ok, off to the bathroom now, I’ll come out when the game is over….
Posted: 12:03 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 HotDogs
…….channeling Brad Lidge of World Series Game 5………………….
Posted: 12:03 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Damn it. I really thought Lidge would put this guy away…runner on…you know he will get to second without the guy giving up an out…breath in…breath out…
Posted: 12:03 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
GEORGIE GO GO GO!!!! NOW!!!
Posted: 12:03 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
Whenever Lidge misses, he missed in the heart of the plate.
Argh.
Posted: 12:04 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 fitz
Come on Lidge, get this done.
Posted: 12:04 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
J-Roll is not the Problem, the Bullpen is the problem. If you can not keep a 4 run lead AFTER the 8th inning you have no business pitching.
Posted: 12:05 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
YES!!! DOUBLE PLAY!!!
Posted: 12:05 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
Whew!
One more…
I do appreciate the announcers’ complete lack of excitement when the Phillies do anything good.
Posted: 12:05 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 AC in NJ
oh yeah baby!!! that’s the double play i’ve been waiting for all night! payback for the error in the 6th.
Posted: 12:06 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 JG
Heartless Dodger fans leaving with only 2 outs, they don’t deserve to have a win.
Posted: 12:07 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 mg52
I don’t know about putting Lidge in even after the double play. Blake really smoked that one.
But I’ll forget that for now. Let’s just see the final out. A win’s a win, and this’ll be one to enjoy if it happens.
Posted: 12:07 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Decent slider; Loney just got a piece of it.
Posted: 12:08 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 fitz
here we go, Phillies in 5.
Posted: 12:08 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
Jesus.
Never. Freaking. Easy.
Posted: 12:08 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
ugh
Posted: 12:09 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Thank god for that double play, but come on Lidge. now the tying Run is back on again.
Posted: 12:09 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
Thank You Brad Lidge!
Posted: 12:10 AM on October 16, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Well done fellas. Well done.
Posted: 12:11 AM on October 16, 2009