Wednesday, October 15, 2008

NLCS Game 5 Thread: Oct 15 vs. Phillies, 5.22p

Chad Billingsley (0-1, 27.00) vs. Cole Hamels (1-0, 2.57).

COMMENTS: Did you get all that out of your system?

We're asking you, Joe Torre (who started the collapse by removing Derek Lowe early).

We're asking you, Dodger bullpen (which surrendered 5 ER in 4 innings).

We're asking you, (non-Manny) Dodger bats (which left 12 LOB).

And we're asking you, Dodger fans (who responded with garment rending and tooth gnashing of epic proportions).

Because at 5:22 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, we put all of Monday's bullshit behind us and focus on one thing: getting the Dodgers to board a flight from LAX to PHL tomorrow.

Whether you contend it was a weak pitching staff or bullpen mismanagement that doomed the Dodgers in Game 4 is irrelevant today, as everyone should be available to play—starting with Chad Billingsley, famously knocked for his lack of aggressiveness in Game 2. Chadley has nothing to lose and everything to prove this evening, and we expect he will be pitching with a chip on his shoulder the size of Defiance, Ohio.

The bats will be facing Cole "East Coast Fans Are More Passionate" Hamels, and it may be the last chance for the likes of Russell Martin (.154 with 1 RBI in the NLCS), Matt Kemp (.250, 0 RBI) and Andre Ethier (.278, 0 RBI) to prove they're worthy of playing deep into October. Until they do, the Phillies will continue working around Manny Ramirez.

And Torre will be trying to pull out another miracle from his bag of tricks that has already provided so many pleasant surprises in 2008. Torre gave the team a much-needed day off yesterday; let's hope they used the time to get their swagger back.


So pull up a chair, grab your favorite talisman and show a little love, Dodger fans. Just remember that anything can happen (it has in the past, after all). Let's ignore the odds and see if we can add a few more heroes to the pantheon. And if we catch a few breaks, the Dodgers flying from LAX to PHL will be easy as ABC.

Gibson: AP photo

54 comments:

Mike Scioscia's tragic illness said...

Whoooo! I got "epic"!

Kyle Baker said...

Hear, hear! Let's give our lads a great send-off to Philly!

Orel said...

Raffy, SS
Dining with 'Dre, RF
Manny, LF
Coltrane, C
King James, 1B
The Beard, 3B
Bison, CF
Man from Sikeston, 2B
Bills, P

Erin said...

Boreanaz is not a Phillies' fan. He said "Barrel" instead of "Burrell."

Also, Buck thinks he's in Philadelphia, since he said "Boreanaz grew up here in Philadelphia."

Erin said...

The "keys to the game" never make any damn sense. According to McCarver, for the Dodgers, the key is...

"Impossible no, difficult very."

Just became a little more difficult with a Rollins' home run. Billingsley had him at 0-2, pitched to a full count, then gave up a home run. Harder for this crowd to be into it now.

Erin said...

And now a walk.

Chad, this is no time for your traditional slow start. Please suck it up. I don't want to see Maddux in this game.

I don't understand how Joe Buck is always rooting against my team, no matter what game I'm watching.

karina said...

Bills has 2 K's in a row, including Victorino.

I found a way to hate Victorino, Erin.

karina said...

King James leadoff single...

karina said...

Beard flies out, Bison singles. Guy from MO is up!

karina said...

Man from Sikeston GIDP.

Orel said...

If the final score of this game is 1-0, I will have to strangle someone with my bare hands.

Oh, hi everyone!

karina said...

Let's strangle Victorino. Epale, Orel!

karina said...

Someone should talk to Bills as in RIGHT NOW.

Orel said...

Too early to pull Bills? It's the last game of the season if this continues.

Orel said...

3-0 Phils. Time to pull Chad.

Orel said...

WP. Time to pull Chad.

Orel said...

IBB Victorino to load 'em up. This is getting ugly.

Orel said...

And just like that, Chan Ho Park. Season over.

karina said...

We really need all the optimism and faith we have, Orel.

karina said...

Ozuna pinch-hitted, i wonder who's pitching next?

karina said...

Some pieces of an interview Victorino gave to ESPN deportes:

Maracaibo gave me the chance to play. Getting more experience. Taking more at-bats and compete against major leaguers. In Venezuela, there are very good players"

Rubén Amaro Jr., assistant to the Phillies GM, found out about Victorino through his father, Rubén Amaro. My father was Zulia (Aguilas) GM at the time, said Amaro Jr. He said "that young man can really play and you should send people to scout him", explained Amaro Jr. "Our scouts there watched him play. He played very well there. The Dodgers didn't protect him and we decided to choose him from the Rule 5 draft".

Victorino was leader on stolen bases (10), 280 AVG, 60 runs and 35 RBI in 214 at-bats.

karina said...

Very nice, Professor!. Let's go blue!

karina said...

I gotta say Victorino's numbers here reflect a 2 month and a half season, playing half of the time in a pitcher's park. Impressive, most impressive (besides he played exquisite defense).

But i can hate him because i remembered he played dirty to Aguilas next season, compromising our chances to get in the playofffs. A#@hole.

karina said...

Sorry for the foul language but he deserves it.

Orel said...

I have a feeling that won't be only foul language tonight.

karina said...

Me too, Orel. They can do this, let;s have faith.

This night was supposed to be my first night ever when Dodgers and Aguilas baseball collide. Aguilas are in the road and the radio circuit is not working, anyway they're losing too. This really sucks.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

delino is at the game next to a jagoff phils fan (who invited me) and a seven year old with a mohawk.

karina said...

Why is Soriano wearing Furcal's uniform?

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

I just saw people actually leaving the game. cowards!!!

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

pedro feliz's at bat made me feel like I could play this game.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

can someone send the hot dog guy to section 35 row m?

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

mony mony equals rallying cry. next inning, I want some eyes without a face.

karina said...

Back to back singles! no outs, let's go blue!

karina said...

DeWitt second GIDP. Kent at the plate.

karina said...

The more i see of McDonald, the mpre i like him.

karina said...

Ethier was robbed of a double.

karina said...

MANNY! let's go blue!. My mom called it: he''ll get a HR for dignity!

karina said...

Victorino's hate club.

Orel said...

This is miserable.

karina said...

It ain't over 'till it's over...

Orel said...

That was a bullshit strike 3 call on Kent.

Orel said...

Fuck Chase Utley. Fuck you in the fae.

Orel said...

Er, face.

Orel said...

Lidge always seems to walk a tightrope in the 9th. Let's see if we can make him sweat.

Orel said...

James bloop single!

karina said...

King James leadoff single again!

Orel said...

Look at all those empty seats behind home plate. Disgraceful.

Orel said...

Kemp gave it a ride.

karina said...

It is, Orel. It's shameful for the real fans.

karina said...

Pierre on deck...

Orel said...

McCarver: "Lidge pitching with a world of confidence." Yeah, a four-run lead will do that.

Orel said...

A pop-up in foul territory to end it. How fitting.

karina said...

In spite of this, i think this team made wonders this season...all that happened, so many injuries, bad decisions and so on...besides it was a pleasure to share with you guys on the game threads!. Now and forever: Let's go Dodgers!

Orel said...

You are a true fan, Karina!