Simps1207
Hey Ted if you have some time would you please give me your thoughts on the Dodgers game. I would appreciate it, thanks and gl.
Sure! This is actually a rather interesting situation so let's start with the pitchers.
Kershaw (10-7, 3.19 ERA) is facing Philadelphia (63-50) for the first time since making one start and one relief appearance in last year's NL championship series, allowing a combined seven runs in 6 2/3 innings. Including those two outings and two in the 2008 NLCS, he's 0-4 with a 7.83 ERA in his last seven games versus the Phillies, lasting no longer than 5 1/3 innings in four starts.
Kershaw is trying to avoid losing three straight starts for the first time in his three-year career. He yielded six runs -- on two three-run homers by
Adam Dunn -- over six innings in a 6-3 loss to Washington last Friday.
Philadelphia is looking to win a sixth straight home game started by
Joe Blanton (4-6, 5.65), who did not get a decision Friday after allowing two runs over seven innings in a 7-5 victory over the
New York Mets. He's 3-0 with a 4.22 ERA in his last five outings at Citizens Bank Park and hasn't lost there since May 8.
The right-hander has pitched well in four career starts against Los Angeles (59-55), going 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA. That doesn't include two postseason outings, including Game 4 of last year's NLCS in which he yielded four runs over six innings and did not get a decision in a 5-4 victory.
Tonight's home plate umpire as reported by SportsOptions is Todd Tichener who has called 23 games with a home team winning record of 18-5 and an O/U record of 14-7-2.
Sounds like the play should be on Philadelphia right? Well, here's the kicker. Phildelphia's line-up, while winning is depleted with the loss of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Basically, the line-up tonight as reported by SportsOptions is as follows:
Rollins
Ibanez
Polanco
Sweeney
Werth
Francisco
Ruiz
Valdez
Blanton
In my opinion, this line-up is not suited to face a left hander like Kershaw even though he struggled his last outing.
As for the Dodgers, their line-up is loaded as reported by SportsOptions below:
Posednick
Theriot
Eithier
Loney
Belliard
Kemp
Carrol
Ausmus
Kershaw
In my opinion, this line-up with it's left handed power is suited to face Blanton even though he pitches better at home and has a decent lifetime record against the Dodgers.
The Phillies were able to squeak by the Dodgers yesterday following being mauled 15-9 the night before. Simply believe the pitcher versus hitter match-up favors the Dodgers tonight. We shall see. Best of luck whatever you decide to do! :toast: