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 Table
So stop bitching and watch the darn baseball game.
Posted: 08:39 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
“Can’t even compare Koufax to Kershaw at 21. Kershaw is far superior.” LOL. Funny. Oh and by the way, Table, the Phillies sold out EVERY SINGLE home game this season. Just sayin. I really highly doubt the Dodgers led the league in attendance this year. Especially if they cant even sell out game on of the NLCS.
Posted: 08:39 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Ryan
how do we not get that call but kershaw does?
Posted: 08:39 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Gertrude Huffnagle
Kershaw and Hamels look strong. Should be a pitchers’ battle. We need to play small ball in this one. And RYAN — your mother should wash your filthy mouth out with soap. Have you no decency? What would Whitey and Harry have said about your vulgarity? Clean it up, fella.
Posted: 08:39 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Koufax is overrated but it is a little early to compare a 21 year old to a hall of famer.
Posted: 08:40 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
oof. OK, Phils bats have some catching up to do.
Posted: 08:40 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Maybe Cole can give up a home run against someone else that isn’t a power hitter…first Yorvit and now Loney.
1 home run at home all season and now hit his second…awesome.
Posted: 08:40 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Come on, Cole: win one for Junior!
Posted: 08:40 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 John The Dodgers Fan
Yea baby 1-0 Hamels is horrible. go back to the baby. yea baby
Posted: 08:40 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tommy from NY
dodgers lead 1-0 . lets go dodgers
Posted: 08:41 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Steven
gertrude- i think the tbs announcers would rather have the dodgers clean out their mouths if you know what i’m sayin
Posted: 08:41 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Nice catch by Victorino!
Posted: 08:41 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 josh
Maybe cole needed to get that out of the way….its only one run… Im getting pissed…Kershaw’s strikezone is different from Hamel’s…
Posted: 08:42 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 John The Dodgers Fan
your right joe, my rangers are taking it to the flyers
Posted: 08:42 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 chuckS
looks like the ball is carrying in LA LA land.
Posted: 08:43 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 josh
WTF that is a strike for kershaw
Posted: 08:44 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Table
chuckS- except Utley and Howard couldn’t get it out? Stop making excuses.
Posted: 08:44 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Elz
So, they are smokin balls off of Cole
Posted: 08:44 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 josh
THis umpire is horrible.
Posted: 08:45 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Hamels just got jobbed with that strike zone. Walking the pitcher is just not smart.
Posted: 08:45 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 John the Dodgers Fan Says
I’m a rangers fan and a dodgers fan so I either I live in two different cities or I’m just an idiot. Wait, I am an idiot I don’t know the difference between you and you’re.
Posted: 08:45 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 John the Dodgers Fan Says
your and you’re
Posted: 08:46 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
Howard and Utley hit it to the deepest part of the park. Not worried, we’ll get ours.
Posted: 08:47 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
John, your Rangers, have not played the Flyers this season, thus, not taking it to them.
Posted: 08:48 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Table, I wouldnt really classify the balls hit by Utley especially as a hard hit ball, and it carried pretty good, Howard? Not hard hit for him, it did carry pretty well. Just because the ball doesnt leave the ball park doesnt mean it didnt carry.
Posted: 08:48 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
…I see yet another jerk$ff has decided to come on here and try to make him/herself feel “special.” It’s 1-0. Somebody has to score 1st…. We beat you 4-1 on the way to WS title last year. Your trash talking means 0 until the Dodgers win another WS title. Thanks for playing Mr. 1988.
Posted: 08:50 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
another pop up from Feliz
Posted: 08:50 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 John the Dodgers Fan
Well duh ed, it’s obvious I’m an idiot
Posted: 08:50 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Rodger Dodger
Hey big boys, Im back, did you miss me? I am so glad to see My boyfriend Cole Hamels Pitch. ;)
Posted: 08:50 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Table
Brian- True dat, I just don’t think we should cheapin Loney’s homer
Posted: 08:51 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Craig the Rockies Fan aka John the Dodgers Fan
Duh guys it’s me jumping on another bandwagon
Posted: 08:51 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Rodger Dodger
I never said cheapin it.
Posted: 08:52 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Table
Harry Kalas-But Dude!!! I am a Rocky fan
Posted: 08:53 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 josh
is this the Dodger network?
Posted: 08:53 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
What is up with people today? This is annoying.The game went out here, and people are answering for other people and junk like that?
Posted: 08:54 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Table
Fine I will leave you Philly fans alone. Cause you don’t like my baseballness.
Posted: 08:55 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
Table if you’re a rocky fan which movie was your favorite?
Posted: 08:55 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tommy from NY
Clayton Kershaw n dodgers bullpen will pitch shut out against phillies 4-0
Posted: 08:56 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I was talking about some other posts on here Table.
Posted: 08:56 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 dodger fan
TBS should hire Charlie Manuel.
Posted: 08:56 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 chuckS
Does Jimmy have any hits before the ninth this postseason?
Posted: 08:57 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
I really hope Hamels works in the offseason to better his curve, because these guys are going to kill him if they’re just going to choose between fastball and changeup. Not worried yet, though; Kershaw’s made some mistakes and we’ll make him pay sooner or later.
Does anyone remember Pedro Feliz’s last good at-bat?
Posted: 08:57 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 msarg29
I hope you noticed the first pitch to Ethier was inside and called a strike.
Posted: 08:59 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Tommy of NY are you actually a Dodgers fan? For some reason I doubt it.
Posted: 08:59 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
NICE K on the curve, Colbert.
Posted: 08:59 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Mike D, grand slam to clinch the division. Game winning hit last year to win the World Series. Not much better than those.
Posted: 09:01 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
msarg29, whats your point? Just curious?
Posted: 09:01 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Tommy from NY
I’m a New Yorker that is very jealous of philly that’s all
Posted: 09:02 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
HK – Tonight’s trolls come courtesy of the Garvey seed having been sown all over the continental USA.
Posted: 09:02 PM on October 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Colorado Joe
I remember being really annoyed last year during the NLCS thinking that the Fox announcers were clearly routing for the Dodgers. In the bottom of the third, the announcers are at least tolerable. Let’s Go Phils!
Posted: 09:03 PM on October 15, 2009