Archive: October, 2008
Todd Zolecki
Here are the lineups for Game 3 of the NLCS tonight at Dodger Stadium:
Phillies
- Jimmy Rollins, SS
- Shane Victorino, CF
- Chase Utley, 2B
- Ryan Howard, 1B
- Pat Burrell, LF
- Jayson Werth, RF
- Pedro Feliz, 3B
- Carlos Ruiz, C
- Jamie Moyer, P
Dodgers
- Rafael Furcal, SS
- Andre Ethier, RF
- Manny Ramirez, LF
- Russell Martin, C (
- Nomar Garciaparra, 1B
- Casey Blake, 3B
- Matt Kemp, CF
- Blake DeWitt, 2B
- Hiroki Kuroda, P
Brian Kamenetzky
A Q&A with Brian Kamenetzky, a Dodgers blogger for the Los Angeles Times. Q: Down 0-2, Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda is facing a must-win situation for LA. Is he up to the task?
A: For a lot of the year, Kuroda was like LA’s more effective version of Brett Myers, without the gut. Capable of pitching very well, but also a risk to combust like a Spinal Tap drummer. In June, for example, he sandwiched a brilliant complete game, 11 K shutout of the Cubs between two starts in which he gave up six runs and didn’t escape the third inning. Fans tried to cheer him on, but it’s hard to clap and hold a canister of Tums at the same time.
Todd Zolecki
Jamie Moyer went to the 1980 World Series parade as a fan.
He'd like to go this year as a player.
He can get them one step closer with a victory tonight in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Phil Sheridan explains how big Game 3 is. Moyer struggled in his last start against the Brewers in Game 3 of the NLDS, but he would like to take advantage of the opportunity presented him tonight at Dodger Stadium.
Todd Zolecki
Charlie Manuel and Shane Victorino, both of whom lost family members yesterday, won't miss any games in the NLCS.
Manuel's mother June Manuel died at 87. He will take a private plane to Roanoke, Va., after Game 5 on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium (if there is a Game 5) to attend his mother's viewing Thursday and funeral Friday. If there is a Game 6 on Friday at Citizens Bank Park, he will fly back in time to manage that game. Victorino's grandmother Irene Victorino died at 82. He said he will not miss any games, and might end up missing her funeral in Hawaii as a result.
Todd Zolecki
Todd Zolecki
The Phillies need just two more victories to reach their first World Series since 1993.
Feeling it yet?
Here is some of what Phillies righthander Brett Myers said after the game:
Todd Zolecki
Sad news, folks.
Charlie Manuel's mother, June Manuel, died today at Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was 87.
Manuel received the call around noon today after he finished a meeting with his coaches in the clubhouse. His mother had to be hospitalized earlier this week. Manuel is at the ballpark, and will manage Game 2 of the National League Championship Series this afternoon against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. It is unclear if Manuel will fly on the team charter to Los Angeles after today's game. The Phillies have the day off tomorrow.
Todd Zolecki
Manny Ramirez. Joe Torre. Manny Ramirez. Joe Torre. Manny Ramirez. Joe Torre. Manny Ramirez. Joe Torre.
Game 1 ... the Phillies.
That threw a wrench in the works, didn't it? There has been a Manny-Torre love fest in the National League Championship Series -- OK, we get it, everybody wants Manny to play the Red Sox in the World Seris -- but the Phillies beat the Dodgers last night in Game 1, 3-2, to lead the best-of-seven series. Phil Sheridan points out that the Phillies found their Inner Manny, which I guess means they out-Manny'd Manny. Or something.
Todd Zolecki
The Phillies beat the Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park, 3-2.
Not sure how it played on TV, but the crowd was loud in the sixth and ninth innings, when the Phillies took the lead and Brad Lidge ended the game. Here is what the players and managers had to say after the game:
QUESTION: You guys had talked about kind of seizing those opportunities when he leaves the sinker up a little bit, did you feel that was one of those opportunities and did you see many of those up until that point?
CHASE UTLEY: No, he was pitching very well. He was keeping the ball down. He had a great sinker working and slider. Everything was down in the zone. Borderline kind of balls and he makes it tough on the opposing hitters. The pitch I hit was probably middle of the zone in terms of height. But that's not really up. But for Derek Lowe, sinker guy, it was up a little bit.
