Yep, Torre is sitting Kemp for tonight’s game after his lackluster start with the bat. Personally, I think Juan Pierre’s weak arm is cause for concern, especially in such an important game, but we’ll just have to see. Here’s the full line-up, courtesy of Inside the Dodgers:
Furcal, SS
Ethier, RF
Manny, LF
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
DeWitt, 2B
Blake, 3B
Pierre, CF
Lowe, P
OK, so you if you visit our blog frequently, you know we highlight Tiger Woods’ love for the Dodgers from time to time. Tiger was again in attendance cheering on the team, this time in Frank McCourt’s box, no less during game 3 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium. Tiger was featured on the Jumbotron and many photos were snapped of him (see above).
Now, I realize that there weren’t many A-list stars at the game (none, really unless you count the likes of Ryan Seacrest or Danny Devito – heck, Fox was reduced to talking about Mary Hart and Pat Sajack in the crowd), but clearly the loss to the Dodgers has folks from Philadelphia looking to take shots at anyone – including Tiger Woods.
In his morning diatribe, John Gonzalez of the Philadelphia Enquirer wrote the following about Tiger Woods:
Tiger Woods: He was at the game. If he’s healthy enough to cheer on the Dodgers, he should be healthy enough to be on the golf course. I’m now certain the guy faked his injury.
WOW – that’s the best that they could come up with? If you read the article, you’ll see how Philadelphia is in an all-out cryfest about EVERYTHING that happened in the game. This includes:
1. The crowd getting on Moyer for beaning Russel Martin in the first inning
2. L.A. fans doing the wave
3. Various chants for Manny Ramirez
4. Chase Utley being called out at second base (insert “ha ha!” cry from the Simpsons bully here)
Hey Philly – you are still up 2-1. Time to man up and acknowledge that this was never going to be a sweep and take the good with the bad (see our earlier posts on the series as an example)
carry on…
Cory Wade
And what was up with that bench-clearing moment? Looks like one “accidentally” got away from Kuroda – most likely in retaliation for the BS that went on with Russell Martin last night. Hopefully that’s the end of it and we can go back to some good ol’ fashioned baseball tomorrow.
Finally, give another game ball to the fans tonight! I’ll be uploading a few great shots from the Ravine a bit later, but their enthusiasm and passion definitely helped the Dodgers tonight. Great job Dodger fans – let’s bring it again tomorrow!
photo: Ray Stubblebine/Reuters
OK, so the 2008 NLCS isn’t tied to the financial meltdown in any way…except that the Dodgers seem to be in freefall right now, just like the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).
Financial metaphors aside, Billingsley was the big problem in Game 2 – he gave up four runs in the 2nd inning with two outs already on the board. He then escaped to the third inning where, after securing one out, he gave up four more runs before Torre yanked him from the game.
What happened?
“Up to that point, he was throwing the ball well,” Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. “It’s hard to say what happened because it happened pretty quickly.”
By this time, the Dodgers were staring at a 8-2 deficit and couldn’t dig their way out. Perrennial hitter Manny Ramirez did his part with a three-run homer to make it 8-5, but that was all the Dodgers could muster.
I’m not sure where the bailout for this crisis is going to come from – Torre is talking about bringing Lowe back to start in game 4, but what will that accomplish? Manny has certainly been contributing, but where is the rest of the Dodger offense? could Philadelphia just be too solid for the boys in blue?
I sure hope not – but I am one of a select few that is still bullish on L.A. right now.
Ouch!
Patt Burrell and Chase Utley made it look easy tonight, each driving a home run in the sixth to lead the Phillies to a 3-2 victory. Derek Lowe looked pretty tired on the mound – something pretty uncharacteristic for the generally solid Dodgers pitcher.
Game 2 is Friday in Philadelphia, with Phillies right-hander Brett Myers facing Dodgers righty Chad Billingsley. Ol’ Chad makes me a little nervous, as he has definitely been streaky as of late, and with Manny carrying the offensive load for the team right now, we either need to see the bats come out in force early or hope Chad can keep it close for the first 4-5 innings (similar to what Lowe was able to accomplish before melting down in the 6th).
Phillies closer Brad Lidge is especially deadly – he is 44 for 44 in save chances this year, so the Dodgers shouldn’t expect any 9th inning heroics – they will defnitely be few and far between.
What you do think of the Game 1 performance? Was the big issue offense, defense, or both?