Showing posts with label Philadelphia Phillies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Phillies. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2009
POD: Philadelphia+1.5 (MLB) L
Monday, November 02, 2009
POD: NY Yankees @ Philadelphia+1.5 (3K units) L
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Preview: The New York Yankees wanted a dominant pitcher to lead them deep into the postseason, so they made CC Sabathia(notes) the richest pitcher in baseball history. Now, Sabathia can now move them within a victory of their first World Series title in nine years.
The workhorse will take the ball on three days’ rest Sunday night when the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies play Game 4 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Yankees turned an early 3-0 deficit into an 8-5 victory in Saturday night’s Game 3, claiming a 2-1 lead in the series. Alex Rodriguez(notes), Nick Swisher(notes) and Hideki Matsui(notes) all homered for New York, with Rodriguez’s two-run shot in the fourth inning the result of the first video replay reversal in World Series history.
After watching their 13-year streak of playoff appearances come to an end last fall, the Yankees felt upgrading their rotation was a priority if they were going to challenge for their first World Series title since winning No. 26 in 2000. Landing Sabathia via free agency - for $161 million over seven years - has proven to be the right move.
The left-hander’s first season in the Bronx was a rousing success, as he went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA to garner consideration for his second AL Cy Young Award and help the Yankees back to the playoffs.
Sabathia - the 2007 Cy Young winner with Cleveland - hasn’t slowed in the postseason, posting a 3-1 record and 1.52 ERA and winning AL championship series MVP honors. Now, he’ll take the mound on three days’ rest, a situation in which he is quite capable. Including postseason, Sabathia is 5-3 with a 3.16 ERA in eight starts when throwing on short rest.
“I hate to throw bullpens,” said Sabathia, who took the loss in Game 1 opposite Phillies ace Cliff Lee(notes) while allowing two runs on homers by Chase Utley(notes) in seven innings. “I don’t have to throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days’ rest.
“It feels good for them to have confidence in you, especially in these situations. It gives you confidence when your team has confidence and the guys want you out there and everybody is asking: ‘Are you pitching today?’ and ‘Are you pitching tomorrow?’”
Yankees manager Joe Girardi has elected to shorten the rotation to Sabathia, A.J. Burnett(notes) and Andy Pettitte(notes) - Saturday’s winning pitcher. Burnett is expected to start Monday.
“There is no baseball after the World Series for four or five months, so there will be plenty of time to rest,” Girardi said.
Girardi also used Sabathia on short rest in Game 4 of the ALCS, and the three-time All-Star allowed one run in eight innings of a 10-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has opted not to ask Lee to pitch on three days’ rest for the first time in his career. Instead, Lee is scheduled to start Monday’s Game 5 in what could be an elimination contest.
Joe Blanton(notes) gets the nod in Game 4 for a second consecutive year. The right-hander combined with four relievers on a five-hitter in a 10-2 win over Tampa Bay last October that gave the Phillies a 3-1 World Series lead. He also hit the first World Series home run by a pitcher since Oakland’s Ken Holtzman in 1974.
“It’s a big game, but it’s another game,” Blanton said. “And I think just the experience you draw from last year, just the fact that you’ve been there before, you’ve been in that environment, you’ve been in that atmosphere, you’ve kind of been in that big game situation - and you can just kind of draw back and kind of keep your emotions in check.”
Blanton hasn’t had any success against the Yankees, going 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA in four starts. All of those games came with Oakland, where he spent four-plus seasons before joining Philadelphia last year in a midseason trade.
Blanton has also struggled against Alex Rodriguez, who is 4 for 7 with two homers in their matchups.
The third baseman’s homer Saturday was the first of his career in the World Series, and snapped a personal 0-for-8 slump. It was also his sixth homer of this postseason, tying a Yankees record set by Bernie Williams(notes) in 1996.
“It was a big hit. I think it woke our offense up a little bit,” said Rodriguez, who struck out three times in each of the previous two games.
The Phillies are hoping their marquee slugger, Ryan Howard(notes), can break out of his slump in similar fashion.
The NLCS MVP is 2 for 13 with an RBI and nine strikeouts in the Series, fanning three times Saturday.
“Go home and go to sleep. I’m a simple guy,” Howard - 4 for 12 with six strikeouts against Sabathia including postseason - said after the Game 3 loss. “We’re not going to panic by any means just because we’re down in the Series.”
It may not be time to panic yet, but history doesn’t provide Philadelphia cause for optimism. This is the fourth time the Phillies have trailed 2-1 in a World Series. On all three previous occasions, they went on to lose Game 4 - and the series.
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Preview: The New York Yankees wanted a dominant pitcher to lead them deep into the postseason, so they made CC Sabathia(notes) the richest pitcher in baseball history. Now, Sabathia can now move them within a victory of their first World Series title in nine years.
The workhorse will take the ball on three days’ rest Sunday night when the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies play Game 4 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Yankees turned an early 3-0 deficit into an 8-5 victory in Saturday night’s Game 3, claiming a 2-1 lead in the series. Alex Rodriguez(notes), Nick Swisher(notes) and Hideki Matsui(notes) all homered for New York, with Rodriguez’s two-run shot in the fourth inning the result of the first video replay reversal in World Series history.
After watching their 13-year streak of playoff appearances come to an end last fall, the Yankees felt upgrading their rotation was a priority if they were going to challenge for their first World Series title since winning No. 26 in 2000. Landing Sabathia via free agency - for $161 million over seven years - has proven to be the right move.
The left-hander’s first season in the Bronx was a rousing success, as he went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA to garner consideration for his second AL Cy Young Award and help the Yankees back to the playoffs.
Sabathia - the 2007 Cy Young winner with Cleveland - hasn’t slowed in the postseason, posting a 3-1 record and 1.52 ERA and winning AL championship series MVP honors. Now, he’ll take the mound on three days’ rest, a situation in which he is quite capable. Including postseason, Sabathia is 5-3 with a 3.16 ERA in eight starts when throwing on short rest.
“I hate to throw bullpens,” said Sabathia, who took the loss in Game 1 opposite Phillies ace Cliff Lee(notes) while allowing two runs on homers by Chase Utley(notes) in seven innings. “I don’t have to throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days’ rest.
“It feels good for them to have confidence in you, especially in these situations. It gives you confidence when your team has confidence and the guys want you out there and everybody is asking: ‘Are you pitching today?’ and ‘Are you pitching tomorrow?’”
Yankees manager Joe Girardi has elected to shorten the rotation to Sabathia, A.J. Burnett(notes) and Andy Pettitte(notes) - Saturday’s winning pitcher. Burnett is expected to start Monday.
“There is no baseball after the World Series for four or five months, so there will be plenty of time to rest,” Girardi said.
Girardi also used Sabathia on short rest in Game 4 of the ALCS, and the three-time All-Star allowed one run in eight innings of a 10-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has opted not to ask Lee to pitch on three days’ rest for the first time in his career. Instead, Lee is scheduled to start Monday’s Game 5 in what could be an elimination contest.
Joe Blanton(notes) gets the nod in Game 4 for a second consecutive year. The right-hander combined with four relievers on a five-hitter in a 10-2 win over Tampa Bay last October that gave the Phillies a 3-1 World Series lead. He also hit the first World Series home run by a pitcher since Oakland’s Ken Holtzman in 1974.
“It’s a big game, but it’s another game,” Blanton said. “And I think just the experience you draw from last year, just the fact that you’ve been there before, you’ve been in that environment, you’ve been in that atmosphere, you’ve kind of been in that big game situation - and you can just kind of draw back and kind of keep your emotions in check.”
Blanton hasn’t had any success against the Yankees, going 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA in four starts. All of those games came with Oakland, where he spent four-plus seasons before joining Philadelphia last year in a midseason trade.
Blanton has also struggled against Alex Rodriguez, who is 4 for 7 with two homers in their matchups.
The third baseman’s homer Saturday was the first of his career in the World Series, and snapped a personal 0-for-8 slump. It was also his sixth homer of this postseason, tying a Yankees record set by Bernie Williams(notes) in 1996.
“It was a big hit. I think it woke our offense up a little bit,” said Rodriguez, who struck out three times in each of the previous two games.
The Phillies are hoping their marquee slugger, Ryan Howard(notes), can break out of his slump in similar fashion.
The NLCS MVP is 2 for 13 with an RBI and nine strikeouts in the Series, fanning three times Saturday.
“Go home and go to sleep. I’m a simple guy,” Howard - 4 for 12 with six strikeouts against Sabathia including postseason - said after the Game 3 loss. “We’re not going to panic by any means just because we’re down in the Series.”
It may not be time to panic yet, but history doesn’t provide Philadelphia cause for optimism. This is the fourth time the Phillies have trailed 2-1 in a World Series. On all three previous occasions, they went on to lose Game 4 - and the series.
POD: Philadelphia+1.5 (MLB)
Monday, November 02, 2009
POD: NY Yankees @ Philadelphia+1.5 (3K units)
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Preview: The New York Yankees wanted a dominant pitcher to lead them deep into the postseason, so they made CC Sabathia(notes) the richest pitcher in baseball history. Now, Sabathia can now move them within a victory of their first World Series title in nine years.
The workhorse will take the ball on three days’ rest Sunday night when the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies play Game 4 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Yankees turned an early 3-0 deficit into an 8-5 victory in Saturday night’s Game 3, claiming a 2-1 lead in the series. Alex Rodriguez(notes), Nick Swisher(notes) and Hideki Matsui(notes) all homered for New York, with Rodriguez’s two-run shot in the fourth inning the result of the first video replay reversal in World Series history.
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
Preview: The New York Yankees wanted a dominant pitcher to lead them deep into the postseason, so they made CC Sabathia(notes) the richest pitcher in baseball history. Now, Sabathia can now move them within a victory of their first World Series title in nine years.
The workhorse will take the ball on three days’ rest Sunday night when the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies play Game 4 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Yankees turned an early 3-0 deficit into an 8-5 victory in Saturday night’s Game 3, claiming a 2-1 lead in the series. Alex Rodriguez(notes), Nick Swisher(notes) and Hideki Matsui(notes) all homered for New York, with Rodriguez’s two-run shot in the fourth inning the result of the first video replay reversal in World Series history.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
POD: Los Angeles+1.0/pk (MLB) L
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
POD: Los Angeles+1.0/pk @ Philadelphia (3K units) L
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Defending champion Philadelphia looks to carry the momentum from a thrilling comeback win and earn a trip back to the World Series on Wednesday night in Game 5 against a Dodgers team trying to send the NLCS back to Los Angeles.
The Phillies trailed by one run with two outs in the ninth inning Monday, before Rollins lined a two-run double off All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton(notes) to give them a 5-4 victory and a 3-1 NLCS lead.
“This is big,” Rollins said. “The pressure’s all on them.”
The rally started with one out in the ninth when Broxton walked pinch-hitter Matt Stairs(notes) on four straight pitches. Stairs had hit a two-run homer off Broxton in Game 4 of last year’s NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz(notes) with a pitch after Stairs’ walk, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs(notes) looped a soft liner to third for the second out. Rollins then ripped a 99 mph fastball to right-center, putting Philadelphia in position to make back-to-back World Series appearances for the first time in franchise history.
“We understand we still have a job to do,” said Rollins, who had been 3 for 18 in the series prior to his game-winning hit. “We look forward to trying to close it out.”
Although Los Angeles needs to win three straight games to make the World Series - a feat it couldn’t accomplish last year when the Phillies eliminated the Dodgers in five games - manager Joe Torre doesn’t believe his team is in an awful position.
“The unique part about our situation, we win one game and we go home,” Torre told the Dodgers’ official Web site. “That to me is a momentum switch, and the fact that Philadelphia has to come with us.”
For there to be a Game 6 at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Los Angeles needs to get past Cole Hamels(notes), who defeated the Dodgers in last season’s NLCS clincher.
Hamels also earned the win in Thursday’s series opener, but he wasn’t at his best, allowing four runs and eight hits - including two homers - in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-6 victory.
Hamels has already yielded eight runs in 10 1-3 innings in two postseason starts this season - one more run than he gave up in 35 innings over five starts last fall en route to NLCS and World Series MVP honors. Despite that fall-off in production, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel continues to express confidence in his left-hander.
“Any time you hand him the ball, I think he’s capable of going out there and shutting the other team out,” Manuel told the Phillies’ official Web site.
Hamels has usually been capable of shutting down the Dodgers.
Despite the subpar outing in the opener of this series, Hamels is 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including three in the playoffs.
While Hamels doesn’t appear likely to win another NLCS MVP award, Ryan Howard(notes) is building a strong candidacy for that honor.
The Phillies first baseman hit a two-run double Monday that gave him eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI, tying Lou Gehrig’s major league record set in the 1928 and 1932 World Series with the New York Yankees.
Howard is 5 for 13 (.385) with two home runs, eight RBIs and a .529 on-base percentage in this series and has driven in 14 runs this postseason.
“I’m just going to go up there and keep throwing my bat at the ball,” said Howard, who has reached base safely in 17 straight playoff games.
Howard’s solo homer in Game 2 was the only run the Phillies scored off Vicente Padilla(notes), who takes the ball again for the Dodgers in Game 5.
Los Angeles’ only victory of the series came in Game 2 - a 2-1 win. Padilla allowed Howard’s homer and three other hits in 7 1-3 innings, but didn’t get the decision.
Padilla, who pitched for the Phillies from 2000-05, hasn’t lost since signing with the Dodgers on Aug. 19 after being released by Texas.
The right-hander gave up four hits in seven shutout innings of a 5-1 NLDS-clinching win over St. Louis, and went 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in seven regular-season starts for Los Angeles. Including postseason, the Dodgers have won eight of Padilla’s nine starts.
“He’s been tremendous,” catcher Russell Martin(notes) said. “He just has nerves of steel out there. He doesn’t get rattled.”
Padilla will need to be tremendous if Los Angeles’ lineup continues to fizzle.
The Dodgers, who finished fourth in the NL with 780 runs in the regular season, have tallied 12 in this series while leaving 25 men on base and going 6 for 30 with runners in scoring position.
Manny Ramirez(notes) homered off Hamels in Game 1, but hasn’t had much success otherwise, going 4 for 16 with two RBIs and no walks in the series.
“We’re not going to give up,” Ramirez said. “All we can control is go out and give 100 percent. That’s what we’ve been doing. The Phillies have just been playing better.”
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Defending champion Philadelphia looks to carry the momentum from a thrilling comeback win and earn a trip back to the World Series on Wednesday night in Game 5 against a Dodgers team trying to send the NLCS back to Los Angeles.
The Phillies trailed by one run with two outs in the ninth inning Monday, before Rollins lined a two-run double off All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton(notes) to give them a 5-4 victory and a 3-1 NLCS lead.
“This is big,” Rollins said. “The pressure’s all on them.”
The rally started with one out in the ninth when Broxton walked pinch-hitter Matt Stairs(notes) on four straight pitches. Stairs had hit a two-run homer off Broxton in Game 4 of last year’s NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz(notes) with a pitch after Stairs’ walk, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs(notes) looped a soft liner to third for the second out. Rollins then ripped a 99 mph fastball to right-center, putting Philadelphia in position to make back-to-back World Series appearances for the first time in franchise history.
“We understand we still have a job to do,” said Rollins, who had been 3 for 18 in the series prior to his game-winning hit. “We look forward to trying to close it out.”
Although Los Angeles needs to win three straight games to make the World Series - a feat it couldn’t accomplish last year when the Phillies eliminated the Dodgers in five games - manager Joe Torre doesn’t believe his team is in an awful position.
“The unique part about our situation, we win one game and we go home,” Torre told the Dodgers’ official Web site. “That to me is a momentum switch, and the fact that Philadelphia has to come with us.”
For there to be a Game 6 at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Los Angeles needs to get past Cole Hamels(notes), who defeated the Dodgers in last season’s NLCS clincher.
Hamels also earned the win in Thursday’s series opener, but he wasn’t at his best, allowing four runs and eight hits - including two homers - in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-6 victory.
Hamels has already yielded eight runs in 10 1-3 innings in two postseason starts this season - one more run than he gave up in 35 innings over five starts last fall en route to NLCS and World Series MVP honors. Despite that fall-off in production, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel continues to express confidence in his left-hander.
“Any time you hand him the ball, I think he’s capable of going out there and shutting the other team out,” Manuel told the Phillies’ official Web site.
Hamels has usually been capable of shutting down the Dodgers.
Despite the subpar outing in the opener of this series, Hamels is 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including three in the playoffs.
While Hamels doesn’t appear likely to win another NLCS MVP award, Ryan Howard(notes) is building a strong candidacy for that honor.
The Phillies first baseman hit a two-run double Monday that gave him eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI, tying Lou Gehrig’s major league record set in the 1928 and 1932 World Series with the New York Yankees.
Howard is 5 for 13 (.385) with two home runs, eight RBIs and a .529 on-base percentage in this series and has driven in 14 runs this postseason.
“I’m just going to go up there and keep throwing my bat at the ball,” said Howard, who has reached base safely in 17 straight playoff games.
Howard’s solo homer in Game 2 was the only run the Phillies scored off Vicente Padilla(notes), who takes the ball again for the Dodgers in Game 5.
Los Angeles’ only victory of the series came in Game 2 - a 2-1 win. Padilla allowed Howard’s homer and three other hits in 7 1-3 innings, but didn’t get the decision.
Padilla, who pitched for the Phillies from 2000-05, hasn’t lost since signing with the Dodgers on Aug. 19 after being released by Texas.
The right-hander gave up four hits in seven shutout innings of a 5-1 NLDS-clinching win over St. Louis, and went 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in seven regular-season starts for Los Angeles. Including postseason, the Dodgers have won eight of Padilla’s nine starts.
“He’s been tremendous,” catcher Russell Martin(notes) said. “He just has nerves of steel out there. He doesn’t get rattled.”
Padilla will need to be tremendous if Los Angeles’ lineup continues to fizzle.
The Dodgers, who finished fourth in the NL with 780 runs in the regular season, have tallied 12 in this series while leaving 25 men on base and going 6 for 30 with runners in scoring position.
Manny Ramirez(notes) homered off Hamels in Game 1, but hasn’t had much success otherwise, going 4 for 16 with two RBIs and no walks in the series.
“We’re not going to give up,” Ramirez said. “All we can control is go out and give 100 percent. That’s what we’ve been doing. The Phillies have just been playing better.”
POD: Los Angeles+1.0/pk (MLB) L
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
POD: Los Angeles+1.0/pk @ Philadelphia (3K units) L
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Defending champion Philadelphia looks to carry the momentum from a thrilling comeback win and earn a trip back to the World Series on Wednesday night in Game 5 against a Dodgers team trying to send the NLCS back to Los Angeles.
The Phillies trailed by one run with two outs in the ninth inning Monday, before Rollins lined a two-run double off All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton(notes) to give them a 5-4 victory and a 3-1 NLCS lead.
“This is big,” Rollins said. “The pressure’s all on them.”
The rally started with one out in the ninth when Broxton walked pinch-hitter Matt Stairs(notes) on four straight pitches. Stairs had hit a two-run homer off Broxton in Game 4 of last year’s NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz(notes) with a pitch after Stairs’ walk, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs(notes) looped a soft liner to third for the second out. Rollins then ripped a 99 mph fastball to right-center, putting Philadelphia in position to make back-to-back World Series appearances for the first time in franchise history.
“We understand we still have a job to do,” said Rollins, who had been 3 for 18 in the series prior to his game-winning hit. “We look forward to trying to close it out.”
Although Los Angeles needs to win three straight games to make the World Series - a feat it couldn’t accomplish last year when the Phillies eliminated the Dodgers in five games - manager Joe Torre doesn’t believe his team is in an awful position.
“The unique part about our situation, we win one game and we go home,” Torre told the Dodgers’ official Web site. “That to me is a momentum switch, and the fact that Philadelphia has to come with us.”
For there to be a Game 6 at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Los Angeles needs to get past Cole Hamels(notes), who defeated the Dodgers in last season’s NLCS clincher.
Hamels also earned the win in Thursday’s series opener, but he wasn’t at his best, allowing four runs and eight hits - including two homers - in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-6 victory.
Hamels has already yielded eight runs in 10 1-3 innings in two postseason starts this season - one more run than he gave up in 35 innings over five starts last fall en route to NLCS and World Series MVP honors. Despite that fall-off in production, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel continues to express confidence in his left-hander.
“Any time you hand him the ball, I think he’s capable of going out there and shutting the other team out,” Manuel told the Phillies’ official Web site.
Hamels has usually been capable of shutting down the Dodgers.
Despite the subpar outing in the opener of this series, Hamels is 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including three in the playoffs.
While Hamels doesn’t appear likely to win another NLCS MVP award, Ryan Howard(notes) is building a strong candidacy for that honor.
The Phillies first baseman hit a two-run double Monday that gave him eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI, tying Lou Gehrig’s major league record set in the 1928 and 1932 World Series with the New York Yankees.
Howard is 5 for 13 (.385) with two home runs, eight RBIs and a .529 on-base percentage in this series and has driven in 14 runs this postseason.
“I’m just going to go up there and keep throwing my bat at the ball,” said Howard, who has reached base safely in 17 straight playoff games.
Howard’s solo homer in Game 2 was the only run the Phillies scored off Vicente Padilla(notes), who takes the ball again for the Dodgers in Game 5.
Los Angeles’ only victory of the series came in Game 2 - a 2-1 win. Padilla allowed Howard’s homer and three other hits in 7 1-3 innings, but didn’t get the decision.
Padilla, who pitched for the Phillies from 2000-05, hasn’t lost since signing with the Dodgers on Aug. 19 after being released by Texas.
The right-hander gave up four hits in seven shutout innings of a 5-1 NLDS-clinching win over St. Louis, and went 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in seven regular-season starts for Los Angeles. Including postseason, the Dodgers have won eight of Padilla’s nine starts.
“He’s been tremendous,” catcher Russell Martin(notes) said. “He just has nerves of steel out there. He doesn’t get rattled.”
Padilla will need to be tremendous if Los Angeles’ lineup continues to fizzle.
The Dodgers, who finished fourth in the NL with 780 runs in the regular season, have tallied 12 in this series while leaving 25 men on base and going 6 for 30 with runners in scoring position.
Manny Ramirez(notes) homered off Hamels in Game 1, but hasn’t had much success otherwise, going 4 for 16 with two RBIs and no walks in the series.
“We’re not going to give up,” Ramirez said. “All we can control is go out and give 100 percent. That’s what we’ve been doing. The Phillies have just been playing better.”
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
Defending champion Philadelphia looks to carry the momentum from a thrilling comeback win and earn a trip back to the World Series on Wednesday night in Game 5 against a Dodgers team trying to send the NLCS back to Los Angeles.
The Phillies trailed by one run with two outs in the ninth inning Monday, before Rollins lined a two-run double off All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton(notes) to give them a 5-4 victory and a 3-1 NLCS lead.
“This is big,” Rollins said. “The pressure’s all on them.”
The rally started with one out in the ninth when Broxton walked pinch-hitter Matt Stairs(notes) on four straight pitches. Stairs had hit a two-run homer off Broxton in Game 4 of last year’s NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz(notes) with a pitch after Stairs’ walk, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs(notes) looped a soft liner to third for the second out. Rollins then ripped a 99 mph fastball to right-center, putting Philadelphia in position to make back-to-back World Series appearances for the first time in franchise history.
“We understand we still have a job to do,” said Rollins, who had been 3 for 18 in the series prior to his game-winning hit. “We look forward to trying to close it out.”
Although Los Angeles needs to win three straight games to make the World Series - a feat it couldn’t accomplish last year when the Phillies eliminated the Dodgers in five games - manager Joe Torre doesn’t believe his team is in an awful position.
“The unique part about our situation, we win one game and we go home,” Torre told the Dodgers’ official Web site. “That to me is a momentum switch, and the fact that Philadelphia has to come with us.”
For there to be a Game 6 at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Los Angeles needs to get past Cole Hamels(notes), who defeated the Dodgers in last season’s NLCS clincher.
Hamels also earned the win in Thursday’s series opener, but he wasn’t at his best, allowing four runs and eight hits - including two homers - in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-6 victory.
Hamels has already yielded eight runs in 10 1-3 innings in two postseason starts this season - one more run than he gave up in 35 innings over five starts last fall en route to NLCS and World Series MVP honors. Despite that fall-off in production, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel continues to express confidence in his left-hander.
“Any time you hand him the ball, I think he’s capable of going out there and shutting the other team out,” Manuel told the Phillies’ official Web site.
Hamels has usually been capable of shutting down the Dodgers.
Despite the subpar outing in the opener of this series, Hamels is 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including three in the playoffs.
While Hamels doesn’t appear likely to win another NLCS MVP award, Ryan Howard(notes) is building a strong candidacy for that honor.
The Phillies first baseman hit a two-run double Monday that gave him eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI, tying Lou Gehrig’s major league record set in the 1928 and 1932 World Series with the New York Yankees.
Howard is 5 for 13 (.385) with two home runs, eight RBIs and a .529 on-base percentage in this series and has driven in 14 runs this postseason.
“I’m just going to go up there and keep throwing my bat at the ball,” said Howard, who has reached base safely in 17 straight playoff games.
Howard’s solo homer in Game 2 was the only run the Phillies scored off Vicente Padilla(notes), who takes the ball again for the Dodgers in Game 5.
Los Angeles’ only victory of the series came in Game 2 - a 2-1 win. Padilla allowed Howard’s homer and three other hits in 7 1-3 innings, but didn’t get the decision.
Padilla, who pitched for the Phillies from 2000-05, hasn’t lost since signing with the Dodgers on Aug. 19 after being released by Texas.
The right-hander gave up four hits in seven shutout innings of a 5-1 NLDS-clinching win over St. Louis, and went 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in seven regular-season starts for Los Angeles. Including postseason, the Dodgers have won eight of Padilla’s nine starts.
“He’s been tremendous,” catcher Russell Martin(notes) said. “He just has nerves of steel out there. He doesn’t get rattled.”
Padilla will need to be tremendous if Los Angeles’ lineup continues to fizzle.
The Dodgers, who finished fourth in the NL with 780 runs in the regular season, have tallied 12 in this series while leaving 25 men on base and going 6 for 30 with runners in scoring position.
Manny Ramirez(notes) homered off Hamels in Game 1, but hasn’t had much success otherwise, going 4 for 16 with two RBIs and no walks in the series.
“We’re not going to give up,” Ramirez said. “All we can control is go out and give 100 percent. That’s what we’ve been doing. The Phillies have just been playing better.”
Monday, October 19, 2009
POD: Los Angeles @ Philadelphia Over 8.5 (MLB) W
Monday, October 19, 2009
POD: Los Angeles @ Philadelphia Over 8.5 (3K units) W
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The Dodgers will send Randy Wolf(notes) to the mound Monday night when they try to even the NL championship series in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia won 11-0 Sunday to take a 2-1 series lead behind Cliff Lee(notes), who struck out 10 in eight stellar innings. Ryan Howard(notes) drove in three runs, Jayson Werth(notes) had a two-run homer and Shane Victorino(notes) added a three-run shot in the franchise’s most lopsided postseason victory.
“We expect to win when we come to the ballpark, and that’s kind of who they are,” manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phillies chased Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda(notes) in the second inning.
Wolf (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will try to give Los Angeles a longer outing Monday. He made his lone career postseason start in Game 1 of the NL division series against St. Louis, allowed two runs over 3 2-3 innings in that 5-3 victory Oct. 7, and hasn’t pitched since.
The veteran left-hander became popular with Philadelphia fans while spending his first eight major league seasons with the Phillies. Some fans started a group dubbed the “Wolf Pack” in which they wore wolf masks on days he pitched.
“Well, I have a lot of memories here, a lot of good memories here,” Wolf said. “I always enjoyed pitching here. The fans were always really great to me. But I think it’s a lot of fun just being in a playoff game, an NLCS game against my former team. The fact that it’s a rematch from last year makes it exciting.”
Wolf, however, was booed during introductions before Sunday’s game and knows that he won’t have many people cheering for him or wearing wolf masks in this start.
“They’re born and raised Philadelphians and they’re Phillies fans first and foremost,” he said. “I think for the sake of their own lives they’ll keep that under wraps.”
One factor in his favor is his experience in Citizens Bank Park. He started the first game ever played in the stadium with the Phillies on April 12, 2004. He’s 9-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts at the ballpark, including 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in two as a visitor.
He’s also fared well against Howard and Werth, who are each 1 for 9 off him.
“They have a very solid lineup, from top to bottom,” Wolf said. “You know, you’ve got to be really on your game against this lineup because not only do they have guys that hit the ball out of the park, but they have very patient hitters, as well.”
Wolf will try to slow down a Philadelphia lineup that had 11 hits Sunday - six for extra bases. Howard has six RBIs in the series and has hit safely in all seven postseason games, batting .385 (10 for 26) with 12 RBIs.
The Dodgers have produced totals of two runs and eight hits in the last two games. Manny Ramirez(notes) had two of their three hits Sunday.
“You never want to get your rear end kicked,” manager Joe Torre said. “But you don’t toss and turn and wonder if you made the right move. It’s still only one game and we’re in position to tie the series tomorrow.”
Joe Blanton(notes), who pitched out of the bullpen in the Phillies’ division series against Colorado, will make his first start since Oct. 2. He went 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts in his first full season in Philadelphia.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Blanton said. “If that means being in the bullpen or not throwing at all or whatever it is, I’m going to do as much as I can to help us win and help us achieve our goal that we’ve been working for all year.”
His last postseason start was a memorable one - Game 4 of the World Series against Tampa Bay last year. He gave up two runs over six innings to earn the win, but the outing was remembered more for his homer in the fifth inning.
“When I think back, I really just think about all the adrenaline I had after I did it,” Blanton said. “I enjoyed it, but almost didn’t get to because I was so worried about trying to bring myself back down to pitch and not letting myself get out of rhythm.”
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers. He also started Game 4 of last year’s NLCS against them, giving up three runs in five innings and not getting a decision in a 7-5 Phillies victory.
Ramirez is 14 for 25 (.560) with one homer and eight RBIs against Blanton.
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Dodgers will send Randy Wolf(notes) to the mound Monday night when they try to even the NL championship series in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia won 11-0 Sunday to take a 2-1 series lead behind Cliff Lee(notes), who struck out 10 in eight stellar innings. Ryan Howard(notes) drove in three runs, Jayson Werth(notes) had a two-run homer and Shane Victorino(notes) added a three-run shot in the franchise’s most lopsided postseason victory.
“We expect to win when we come to the ballpark, and that’s kind of who they are,” manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phillies chased Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda(notes) in the second inning.
Wolf (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will try to give Los Angeles a longer outing Monday. He made his lone career postseason start in Game 1 of the NL division series against St. Louis, allowed two runs over 3 2-3 innings in that 5-3 victory Oct. 7, and hasn’t pitched since.
The veteran left-hander became popular with Philadelphia fans while spending his first eight major league seasons with the Phillies. Some fans started a group dubbed the “Wolf Pack” in which they wore wolf masks on days he pitched.
“Well, I have a lot of memories here, a lot of good memories here,” Wolf said. “I always enjoyed pitching here. The fans were always really great to me. But I think it’s a lot of fun just being in a playoff game, an NLCS game against my former team. The fact that it’s a rematch from last year makes it exciting.”
Wolf, however, was booed during introductions before Sunday’s game and knows that he won’t have many people cheering for him or wearing wolf masks in this start.
“They’re born and raised Philadelphians and they’re Phillies fans first and foremost,” he said. “I think for the sake of their own lives they’ll keep that under wraps.”
One factor in his favor is his experience in Citizens Bank Park. He started the first game ever played in the stadium with the Phillies on April 12, 2004. He’s 9-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts at the ballpark, including 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in two as a visitor.
He’s also fared well against Howard and Werth, who are each 1 for 9 off him.
“They have a very solid lineup, from top to bottom,” Wolf said. “You know, you’ve got to be really on your game against this lineup because not only do they have guys that hit the ball out of the park, but they have very patient hitters, as well.”
Wolf will try to slow down a Philadelphia lineup that had 11 hits Sunday - six for extra bases. Howard has six RBIs in the series and has hit safely in all seven postseason games, batting .385 (10 for 26) with 12 RBIs.
The Dodgers have produced totals of two runs and eight hits in the last two games. Manny Ramirez(notes) had two of their three hits Sunday.
“You never want to get your rear end kicked,” manager Joe Torre said. “But you don’t toss and turn and wonder if you made the right move. It’s still only one game and we’re in position to tie the series tomorrow.”
Joe Blanton(notes), who pitched out of the bullpen in the Phillies’ division series against Colorado, will make his first start since Oct. 2. He went 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts in his first full season in Philadelphia.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Blanton said. “If that means being in the bullpen or not throwing at all or whatever it is, I’m going to do as much as I can to help us win and help us achieve our goal that we’ve been working for all year.”
His last postseason start was a memorable one - Game 4 of the World Series against Tampa Bay last year. He gave up two runs over six innings to earn the win, but the outing was remembered more for his homer in the fifth inning.
“When I think back, I really just think about all the adrenaline I had after I did it,” Blanton said. “I enjoyed it, but almost didn’t get to because I was so worried about trying to bring myself back down to pitch and not letting myself get out of rhythm.”
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers. He also started Game 4 of last year’s NLCS against them, giving up three runs in five innings and not getting a decision in a 7-5 Phillies victory.
Ramirez is 14 for 25 (.560) with one homer and eight RBIs against Blanton.
POD: Los Angeles @ Philadelphia Over 8.5 (MLB) W
Monday, October 19, 2009
POD: Los Angeles @ Philadelphia Over 8.5 (3K units) W
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Dodgers will send Randy Wolf(notes) to the mound Monday night when they try to even the NL championship series in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia won 11-0 Sunday to take a 2-1 series lead behind Cliff Lee(notes), who struck out 10 in eight stellar innings. Ryan Howard(notes) drove in three runs, Jayson Werth(notes) had a two-run homer and Shane Victorino(notes) added a three-run shot in the franchise’s most lopsided postseason victory.
“We expect to win when we come to the ballpark, and that’s kind of who they are,” manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phillies chased Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda(notes) in the second inning.
Wolf (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will try to give Los Angeles a longer outing Monday. He made his lone career postseason start in Game 1 of the NL division series against St. Louis, allowed two runs over 3 2-3 innings in that 5-3 victory Oct. 7, and hasn’t pitched since.
The veteran left-hander became popular with Philadelphia fans while spending his first eight major league seasons with the Phillies. Some fans started a group dubbed the “Wolf Pack” in which they wore wolf masks on days he pitched.
“Well, I have a lot of memories here, a lot of good memories here,” Wolf said. “I always enjoyed pitching here. The fans were always really great to me. But I think it’s a lot of fun just being in a playoff game, an NLCS game against my former team. The fact that it’s a rematch from last year makes it exciting.”
Wolf, however, was booed during introductions before Sunday’s game and knows that he won’t have many people cheering for him or wearing wolf masks in this start.
“They’re born and raised Philadelphians and they’re Phillies fans first and foremost,” he said. “I think for the sake of their own lives they’ll keep that under wraps.”
One factor in his favor is his experience in Citizens Bank Park. He started the first game ever played in the stadium with the Phillies on April 12, 2004. He’s 9-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts at the ballpark, including 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in two as a visitor.
He’s also fared well against Howard and Werth, who are each 1 for 9 off him.
“They have a very solid lineup, from top to bottom,” Wolf said. “You know, you’ve got to be really on your game against this lineup because not only do they have guys that hit the ball out of the park, but they have very patient hitters, as well.”
Wolf will try to slow down a Philadelphia lineup that had 11 hits Sunday - six for extra bases. Howard has six RBIs in the series and has hit safely in all seven postseason games, batting .385 (10 for 26) with 12 RBIs.
The Dodgers have produced totals of two runs and eight hits in the last two games. Manny Ramirez(notes) had two of their three hits Sunday.
“You never want to get your rear end kicked,” manager Joe Torre said. “But you don’t toss and turn and wonder if you made the right move. It’s still only one game and we’re in position to tie the series tomorrow.”
Joe Blanton(notes), who pitched out of the bullpen in the Phillies’ division series against Colorado, will make his first start since Oct. 2. He went 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts in his first full season in Philadelphia.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Blanton said. “If that means being in the bullpen or not throwing at all or whatever it is, I’m going to do as much as I can to help us win and help us achieve our goal that we’ve been working for all year.”
His last postseason start was a memorable one - Game 4 of the World Series against Tampa Bay last year. He gave up two runs over six innings to earn the win, but the outing was remembered more for his homer in the fifth inning.
“When I think back, I really just think about all the adrenaline I had after I did it,” Blanton said. “I enjoyed it, but almost didn’t get to because I was so worried about trying to bring myself back down to pitch and not letting myself get out of rhythm.”
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers. He also started Game 4 of last year’s NLCS against them, giving up three runs in five innings and not getting a decision in a 7-5 Phillies victory.
Ramirez is 14 for 25 (.560) with one homer and eight RBIs against Blanton.
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Dodgers will send Randy Wolf(notes) to the mound Monday night when they try to even the NL championship series in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia won 11-0 Sunday to take a 2-1 series lead behind Cliff Lee(notes), who struck out 10 in eight stellar innings. Ryan Howard(notes) drove in three runs, Jayson Werth(notes) had a two-run homer and Shane Victorino(notes) added a three-run shot in the franchise’s most lopsided postseason victory.
“We expect to win when we come to the ballpark, and that’s kind of who they are,” manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phillies chased Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda(notes) in the second inning.
Wolf (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will try to give Los Angeles a longer outing Monday. He made his lone career postseason start in Game 1 of the NL division series against St. Louis, allowed two runs over 3 2-3 innings in that 5-3 victory Oct. 7, and hasn’t pitched since.
The veteran left-hander became popular with Philadelphia fans while spending his first eight major league seasons with the Phillies. Some fans started a group dubbed the “Wolf Pack” in which they wore wolf masks on days he pitched.
“Well, I have a lot of memories here, a lot of good memories here,” Wolf said. “I always enjoyed pitching here. The fans were always really great to me. But I think it’s a lot of fun just being in a playoff game, an NLCS game against my former team. The fact that it’s a rematch from last year makes it exciting.”
Wolf, however, was booed during introductions before Sunday’s game and knows that he won’t have many people cheering for him or wearing wolf masks in this start.
“They’re born and raised Philadelphians and they’re Phillies fans first and foremost,” he said. “I think for the sake of their own lives they’ll keep that under wraps.”
One factor in his favor is his experience in Citizens Bank Park. He started the first game ever played in the stadium with the Phillies on April 12, 2004. He’s 9-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts at the ballpark, including 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in two as a visitor.
He’s also fared well against Howard and Werth, who are each 1 for 9 off him.
“They have a very solid lineup, from top to bottom,” Wolf said. “You know, you’ve got to be really on your game against this lineup because not only do they have guys that hit the ball out of the park, but they have very patient hitters, as well.”
Wolf will try to slow down a Philadelphia lineup that had 11 hits Sunday - six for extra bases. Howard has six RBIs in the series and has hit safely in all seven postseason games, batting .385 (10 for 26) with 12 RBIs.
The Dodgers have produced totals of two runs and eight hits in the last two games. Manny Ramirez(notes) had two of their three hits Sunday.
“You never want to get your rear end kicked,” manager Joe Torre said. “But you don’t toss and turn and wonder if you made the right move. It’s still only one game and we’re in position to tie the series tomorrow.”
Joe Blanton(notes), who pitched out of the bullpen in the Phillies’ division series against Colorado, will make his first start since Oct. 2. He went 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts in his first full season in Philadelphia.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Blanton said. “If that means being in the bullpen or not throwing at all or whatever it is, I’m going to do as much as I can to help us win and help us achieve our goal that we’ve been working for all year.”
His last postseason start was a memorable one - Game 4 of the World Series against Tampa Bay last year. He gave up two runs over six innings to earn the win, but the outing was remembered more for his homer in the fifth inning.
“When I think back, I really just think about all the adrenaline I had after I did it,” Blanton said. “I enjoyed it, but almost didn’t get to because I was so worried about trying to bring myself back down to pitch and not letting myself get out of rhythm.”
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers. He also started Game 4 of last year’s NLCS against them, giving up three runs in five innings and not getting a decision in a 7-5 Phillies victory.
Ramirez is 14 for 25 (.560) with one homer and eight RBIs against Blanton.
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