2009 NLCS, discussions go here

I have no use for Manny Ramirez, so his presence on the Dodgers is enough of a reason to root against them. But I do still like Joe Torre...and Ronnie Belliard was nice to me when I met him last year, so I'm glad he's able to play in the postseason. I could root for the Dodgers...but...I really like Ryan Howard. A lot. And if the world turns upside down, and the Angels take the ALCS, a "Freeway Series" World Series between the Dodgers and Angels would be boring! So I could root for the Phillies...but...aaugh...I don't know! I'll just flip a coin......

*flips coin*

Well, whaddaya know. The damn thing landed on its side...........

A lot of people want a NJ Turnpike WS (Dodgers and Yankees) with Torre as one of the main reasons. The thought of him managing against the team with which he had so much success but then left with such a bitter ending makes the media drool.

I honestly thought the Cards would be facing the Phils. Not many people expected Carpenter and Wainwright to lose, but strange things happen when all the marbles are on the line. Speaking of marbles, I was hoping Manny would stay in his slump until the season is over.

Of course, I've got to go with the Phillies. If Hamels doesn't get his act together however, it's going to be tough. For what it's worth, I don't think either the Dodgers of the Phils will be able to beat the ALCS winner.

I'm rooting for the Dodgers, but they're already down 1-0. The Phillies hitting is very similar to that of the Yankees...and that means the Dodgers MUST win game 2. If they go to Philly down 2-0 they're in a huge pile of poo poo.

Well, for a while there, I thought we were going to see shutouts both from both pitchers. Kershaw, the Dodgers starter, has been compared to Koufax by Torre. That got my attention - I always thought "Special K" was the best pitcher I'd ever seen. Then when things started to unravel, it was like watching a train wreck in slow motion....3 WP, a 3 run HR to Ruiz, which probably would still be traveling if it weren't for the stands, followed by a BB to Hamels. Now, Torre (of all people) is being blamed for leaving him there too long. However, Kershaw said during the post-game interview that he just didn't do his job - there were a bunch of lefty batters coming up and as a southpaw, he's supposed to be able to get them out.

I mentioned that Hamels needed to put things back together if the Phils are going to have a shot at winning this thing and he still looks to be far removed from the pitcher we watched last year. His start was almost a mirror image of Kershaw's - cruisin' and then all of a sudden, the wheels fell off. In a way, he reminds me of Mike whenever he had problems keeping the ball down - the leg stays up in the air a little too long after the release.

It's really going to be interesting to see how Pedro does today. He certainly has had enough rest.

The media's choice isn't necessarily always the people's choice! But in this case, a Dodgers/Yankees World Series would be interesting for a couple of reasons, the first of which is what you described, of course. The second is simply that the Dodgers and Yankees are two marquee teams, and the fact that they are on opposite coasts would draw in that much more interest from baseball fans (and more importantly to Fox, many more viewers).

Oh my...how could I forget Cole Hamels? He's another reason to root for the Phillies! But then, Pedro Martinez is definitely a reason to root for the Dodgers.

Basically, I don't care who wins the NLCS. The way the Yankees are playing right now, I think they could beat either team.

The Phillies are clobbering the Dodgers so far tonight. I turned the game off...playoff games like that are so boring. Close games are so much more exciting.

Well, the Phillies may have wanted to sign Halladay, but I'm sure they have no complaints about Cliff Lee. What a performance - it wasn't a fair fight. The Dodgers were helpless and clueless. I know that AL pitchers who jump to the NL usually have an advantage, but this was ridiculous. It's enough to make me root for LA - if the Yankees win the ALCS, the thought of facing this guy is a tad scary.

I don't know...the Yankees have had a sort of game plan this entire season...they manage a run or two off a team's ace, hold the other team down as best as they can, and then when the starter leaves they attack the opponent's bullpen.

I mean the Phillies will be a worthy opponent. They're a great team, but the Yankees are pretty good too...

Oh, I don't think there's any team in the NL who matches up well against the 2009 Yankees. After Lee, the Phillies don't have anybody who can shutdown a lineup. It's been a while since Pedro faced the AL East. He was impressive in his other start. - he's the "unknown factor". Hamels looks nothing like the pitcher who was the WS MVP last season. The entire NY line-up is a nightmare - there is nobody who is an "automatic out". Molina is probably the weakest guy, but he makes up for it behind the plate. I don't think the LA or Philly bullpens are as deep as NY's.

Congrats Phillies. The Dodgers just didn't have it.

I heard the Phillies fans were chanting "Yankees Suck" during the celebration. That chant sure does get around. LOL.

I wanted a Dodgers/Yanks series....sorry Joe.

Me too, Michelle. I thought that Torre facing his old team, a former player, and a former student would have brought some extra drama, as well as making it a coast to coast series.

Hopefully one part of that dream can still come true.

How very cliched. . Next.

Anyway, I appreciate the Phillies' fans' confidence in the Yankees.

I also saw a few fans holding up signs, indicating they're ready for a NY showdown: "BRING ON THE BRONX" and "BROAD STREET VS. BROADWAY" were two of the ones I noticed during the on-field celebration.

If it does indeed come down to NY and Philly, it should be one of the more exciting WS in years. The 2 teams are so similar - heavy hitters, 2 of the best aces in the game, speed on the bases and despite what was thought earlier, the 2 bullpens are almost even. Lidge seems to have found the magic bullet again.

MVP, Ryan Howard

NL Champions

Fans

Mannywood foreclosure

Reality