2009 MLB NLDS Phillies vs Dodgers
The defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies launched a three-run ninth-inning comeback beating the Colorado Rockies 5-4 in Game 4 at Coors Field on Monday, moving them into the National League finals.
The Phillies followed up their second-ever championship with their third consecutive NL East title, going 93-69 in the regular season and will return to the NLCS for the second consecutive year for a rematch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-seven series. The Phillies needed five games to get past the Dodgers a year ago en route to its first World Series title since 1980.
This years World Series odds currently have both the Phillies and the Dodgers at +500.
Los Angeles won the season series with the Philadelphia, 4-3, taking two of three at Citizens Bank Park and splitting a four games in Los Angeles.
The NL West division champion Dodgers (95-67), have had plenty of time to rest, finshing their first-round sweep of the Cardinals on Saturday and will avoid travel as they open the series on Thursday night at Chavez Ravine.
The odds makers have the Dodgers at –1½ favorites in Game 1 with a total of 7 ½.
Here we take a look at how these two NL rivals stack up, and shed some insight to assist you in making sure your bet is a winner.
Offensively both clubs are hitting the ball well coming into the series, but there is no argument that the Phillies have the best lineup in the National League. They finished the regular season leading the league in runs (820), doubles (312), home runs (224), total bases (2,493), RBI (788) and slugging percentage (.447). Of course, in the middle of it all is first baseman Ryan Howard, who had another incredible year at the plate. Howard finished with six RBIs in the series against the Rockies, tying him with the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez for most RBIs in the 2009 Division Series
At times Los Angeles seems to be all or nothing, as they scored seven-plus runs in 42 games. On the other hand there were 43 games where they crossed the plate two or fewer times during the regular season. Currently the Dodgers are on a five game winning streak, but without the help of perennial powerhouse Manny Ramirez, who hit just .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs during the regular season. Manny was just 4-for-13 with two RBIs in the series against St. Louis. During his 50-game suspension early this year, Los Angeles has learned to win games without Ramirez, and it may prove to be the elixir for the Dodgers playoff run. Andre Ethier was an offensive catalyst in the Dodgers’ win over the Cardinals, hitting .500 (6-for-12) with two home runs and three RBIs. Ethier set career-highs with 31 homers and 106 RBIs, including four walk-off home runs during the regular season.
We all know that pitching wins championships.
Philadelphia’s starting rotation were ranked 7th overall and did not pitch consistently in the division series against Colorado. Cole Hamels was taken out of Game 2 of the NLDS in the sixth inning after giving up four runs on seven hits, and lefty J.A. Happ gave up three runs in three innings in Game 3. The Phillies shinning star of the rotation has been left- hander Cliff Lee who was magnificent for Philadelphia in his two starts against the Rockies, yielding just two earned runs in 16 1/3 innings. The Phiilies entered the postseason with a bullpen that ranked 13th overall and at times has been a bit shaky, specifically closer Brad Lidge. Despite blowing a league-high 11 saves during the season, Lidge saved both of his chances in the NLDS.
Hamels will likely get the start in Game 1. Hamels is 4-2 lifetime in six career starts against Los Angeles, with a 1.50 cumulative ERA and 26-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He threw nine innings giving up no runs in a 3-0 win, in his only start against the Dodgers this season.
The Dodgers led the Majors not only in overall ERA, but also in Bullpen ERA, and may have found their star in 21-year-old lefty Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw pitched a terrific game in his first NLDS start, as he held the Cardinals to two runs in 6 2/3 innings, but still remains winless in his last 12 starts.
Dodgers’ skipper Joe Torre is yet to announce who will start in Game 1 against the Phillies on Thursday, but many have speculated the he will most likely go with veteran LHP Randy Wolf. Wolf had won six of his last seven decisions in the regular season, earning him the start in Game 1 of the NLDS, but threw only 3.2 Innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits with five walks, before leaving the game with an era of 3.00. Wolf is 1-3 against Philadelphia with a 4.42 ERA and has allowed nine or more runs in his last two starts against the Phillies. In contrast, Kershaw is 0-3 lifetime against Philadelphia with a 6.64 ERA in four starts.
The Dodgers rotation is rounded out with Hiroki Kuroda who has a 0.95 ERA in three starts against the Phillies this season, and Vicente Padilla who held St. Louis to four hits over seven scoreless innings in Game 3 of the NLDS. Closer Jonathan Broxton rounds out the Dodgers pen and was 7-2 with a 2.61 ERA and ended the year with 36 saves.
This sets the table for a great series. The teams are evenly matched with the Phillies having the edge in the power category, clubbing 224 home runs compared to Los Angeles’ 145, but the Dodgers hold tan edge in pitching. My play is Dodgers in six.
Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
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