Monday, October 19, 2009

NLCS Game 4 Thread @ Liberty Belles, 5p

11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Randy Wolf vs. Joe Blanton.

COMMENTS: See those numbers atop the post, and how some of them have a strike line through them, and some of them don't? Math geniuses might have gleaned that it marks how many wins we have to achieve this postseason to claim the ultimate title. And we've got just about the same amount of marks now as we had last year, after sweeping another NL Central team in the first round (the Cubs), only to hit a roadblock against the Phillies.

In fact, there's a lot of parallels to where we were last year at this time. Down two games to one, we were coasting along with a 5-3 lead in 2008 NLCS Game 4, having scored five runs off of the same Philly starter we'll face tonight, Joe Blanton (5 ER in 7 IP in 2008 NLCS Game 4; 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 2009). We then met up against Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs, both of whom hit two-run home runs in the eighth to put the Phillies ahead for good. Game 4 was the backbreaker last year, and this year's Game 4 looks to be the series fulcrum again.

This time around, however, things will be different. For one thing, we've got Randy Wolf going for us; Wolf was yanked early (after 3.2 IP, with the lead) in Game 1 of the NLDS, and hasn't pitched in 12 days. He may be rusty, but he'll be rested and ready to go deep; his 2.78 road ERA, fifth in the league, also bodes well. And even Philly fans love and respect Randy Wolf, even though he's a Dodger now.

For another thing, we've got karma on our side (not to mention Fox, who would love a Dodgers-Yankees World Series). And karma will take down reliable, trusted players just the same as anyone else in its wake. Matt Holliday? Bonk. Chase Utley? Bonk. The Phillies might have slept well last night, but the karma police will come, and that fridge-buzzing is about to become a detuned radio.

And finally, they've got Chan Ho Park on their this time around, unlike last year. That alone may be keeping our playoff odds at 33% for this series, even down 2-1 and playing the next two on the road (we were at 57% for the NLCS prior to last night's aberration).

We can strike out the "7" after tonight's game. We can bring the series back to Los Angeles. We can win this series. We can do it. I believe.

LET'S GO, DODGERS!

1215 comments:

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Fred's Brim said...

is it bad form to drink red wine while playing the phillies?

MR.F said...

I really hate Werth. No reason, except he used to be on our team and now he's on my most hated NL team.

Orel said...

Martin hits it hard but Werth runs it down. Yes, we are getting no-hit.

Fred's Brim said...

like a dominatrix, were starting to hit the balls harder

Orel said...

FB: Think of it as drinking Philly blood.

Fanerman: Good enough for me.

MR.F said...

Hudson forever, Casey ne-... well, at least not right now.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

FDajd;lkfhaohvbkjahdbkjashdkjbhapkehkjad

Orel said...

Very nice, FB. I just crossed my legs.

Fred's Brim said...

we're gonna get ours, i can feel it. Blanton is hittable

Orel said...

Randy will get a hit tonight.

Orel said...

Nine up, nine down. This can't hold.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

cx.

rbnlaw said...

I'm going to have to agree with you MLASF.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That was me pounding the keyboard with my fists.

MR.F said...

I agree FB. Baby steps. Hitting balls hard is only a good thing.

Fred's Brim said...

not to give too much credit, but Ryan Howard has made great strides with his defense. You could count on him gagging on a play a game, but not anymore

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Only 32 pitches for Blah-nton? Ugh.

Josh S. said...

Hey guys, did you hear Blanton has a perfect game going?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm getting pissed, so here it is.

Shut up, Vin.

Fred's Brim said...

perfect? like no hits or baserunners of any kind? you don't say...

Orel said...

Notice how Mattingly hasn't gotten any flak for the bats yet?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Even Blah-nton gets good hits.

rbnlaw said...

Hey Blanton has one home run
ah shit too late for the jinx.

Fred's Brim said...

tell 'em to fuck off, Joe

Orel said...

I predict better things the second time through the lineup.

rbnlaw said...

These Philly hitters are unstoppable.

chexxum said...

HOLY SHIT THIS GODDAMN UMPIRE

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

These are all strikes.

Orel said...

TBS' pitch track thingy is making the home plate ump look really bad.

rbnlaw said...

4 strikes
1 called

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Ted Barrett does not deserve his pension after this.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Another one. Delightful.

Paul said...

Where the hell is this ump's strike zone.

Randy getting in a groove. But phils will score more than 2.

Fred's Brim said...

Ron Darling, to a "full-grown", older woman with a "I love Ron Darling and TBS" sign:

"Very nice, stay hot"

rbnlaw said...

My friend and I discussed how nice it is that Dodger Stadium doesn't allow self-serving, stupidly phrased signs inside, unlike CBP.

MR.F said...

Either TBS strike zone is off, or the ump just really sucks.

Orel said...

Situational ump: more likely to call a strike on a 3-0 count.

MR.F said...

I mean, shouldn't the best umps be doing the playoffs?

Orel said...

1-2-3!

Fred's Brim said...

is Randy pitching to the Dodgers batters?

Erin said...

I just want to point out that Werth made a routine catch in right and Caray's response was, "And look at Werth cover ground!"

The bias is simply unbelievable. If the strike zone for Blanton were this bad, would these guys be commenting so nonchalantly about it?

MR.F said...

Sometimes, I appreciate that SoSG doesn't have the Dodger Thoughts "making the same point over and over again" rule.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

What was the difference between the first and the fourth pitch? Good fucking lord this ump is the crappiest I've ever seen.

Orel said...

We need UMPBOT3000.

Paul said...

K top of the order in the fourth. We have them right where we want them.

Orel said...

@Fanerman: "Sometimes, I appreciate that SoSG doesn't have the Dodger Thoughts 'making the same point over and over again' rule."

Yeah, our Game Threads would have like, three comments.

Orel said...

Another one right to 'em.

Erin said...

So we'll just get no-hit tonight? Is that it?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I think I saw a Phillie glove sticking out of Barrett's back-pocket.

MR.F said...

Joe Blanton is pitching a perfect fucking game. PERFECT FUCKING GAME.

MR.F said...

Come on Matt...

Fred's Brim said...

hit it back up the middle, Matty

Orel said...

Kemp just swung on a junkball in the dirt. He's off.

Erin said...

What is Kemp swinging at this series? What happened to our confident power hitter?

MR.F said...

Good job not swinging at that one.

Orel said...

Hey, Fanerman swore!

MR.F said...

YES!!! Good at-bat Matt.

Orel said...

BISON WALK

THAT'LL SHOW 'EM

Fred's Brim said...

way to lay off, Matty!

now tie it up, Dre!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

" Phillies will win the World Series with a strikeout of Kemp..."

Just trying to imagine why they're so freakin' pumped.

Paul said...

We have a walk! 3 more walks!!! 3 more walks!!

Fred's Brim said...

take that!!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

WRONG UMP, ANDRE! WRONG UMP!

MR.F said...

Desperate times, Orel.

Orel said...

Now that Blanton doesn't have a perfecto, he's going to fall apart any second now.

Erin said...

There. All it took was me calling him on it. Kemp doesn't strike out, and the perfect game is over. We score this inning.

Huh. An ump gets hit? Karma?

Orel said...

Wish Ethier could have hit the home plate ump like that.

MR.F said...

I also have flu-like symptoms, so my patience is pretty thin right now.

Fred's Brim said...

Mariano is a bug dude!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Maybe that was the horse's head in Barrett's bed.

Orel said...

I don't mind Ethier swinging here. Gotta stay aggressive.

Erin said...

I wish we would have put a play on here. Send Kemp. Do something!

Other than swinging at everything Blanton throws, I mean.

Orel said...

Way to be a gamer, Fanerman!

Fred's Brim said...

that PitchTrak is off too

Fred's Brim said...

damn

MR.F said...

DAMNIT!!!

chexxum said...

I hate Victorino so much.


:(

Orel said...

Ethier with the warning-track fly out. It's like we gain a few inches every time through the lineup.

Fred's Brim said...

can we catch one break? or did we use them up in game 2?

karina said...

It sucks to be late when you're making non-stop references to R.E.M.'s music, i'm Green with envy. Can i just join the fun late? if Sax weren't married, i'd ask him to marry me and then i thought the same with Rbnlaw, Dusty Baker, Josh S and Mr C, shame you're all Half a World Away and taken.

@Josh S certainly Manny is Driver 8, because "he can reach his destination but it's still a ways away" (poetic license taken here)

Orel said...

Note that Kemp isn't trying to steal.

Erin said...

Well, that'll be about as hard as we hit the ball all night, I reckon.

Yeah, I'm being negative. I don't care. I'm so frustrated with this team right now.

Tie it, Manny. Make then regret thinking they should pitch to you.

Alex Cora said...

I hate Victorrino. He didn't have to jump. Showoff.

Orel said...

people whose days just got brighter:

Sax
Rbnlaw
Dusty Baker,
Josh S
Mr C

MR.F said...

Why you gotta swing at that?

Fred's Brim said...

Manny needs to let the dreads roam free

Orel said...

You can't have SB with no one on base, Charley.

MR.F said...

Did Charlie Steiner say that we probably never heard of Josh Outman?

Orel said...

I smell swinging K. Sorry.

Alex Cora said...

What are those phillie fans chanting?

Paul said...

Oh Philly fans are so creative.

MR.F said...

Thank you Manny!!!

Orel said...

RALLY!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

YES! NOW ENGAGE, ROAD LONEY!

Erin said...

That was a hanging ball that Manny could have really launched. I'll take a runner at third, but I wish there weren't two outs.

Keith said...

TBS Sucks...my TV keeps farting!

Alex Cora said...

Come on JL!!!

Orel said...

I'm sorry I doubted you, Manny. But it's nice to see you not swing for the fences every time.

MR.F said...

Me, too, Keith.

rbnlaw said...

I'm surprised the crowd didn't explode with appreciation after Manny broke the no-no

Fred's Brim said...

one
time!

Orel said...

AC: I think "You took steroids!"

MR.F said...

YES YES YES YES

Orel said...

RAOD LONEY

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

YES! TAKE THAT, CROWD!

Erin said...

There we go, Loney!

karina said...

If you believe, they put a man on the moon!

Alex Cora said...

FUKC YES!!!! SCREW YOU BLANTON!!

Fred's Brim said...

yes!

here come the comments about hits with RISP

Orel said...

It's not a grand slam at Wrigley, but it feels like it!

rbnlaw said...

We got one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess karina couldn't get there from here.

Fred's Brim said...

just another single, ron-ron

Paul said...

James!!! We are on te board.

Fred's Brim said...

now the philly fans are hating the ump

Alex Cora said...

Wow that crowd is really quiet now...

Orel said...

I don't understand this strike zone. But it seems (almost) relatively even for both pitchers.

rbnlaw said...

Re; the Filly fans: There as bad as the Giants' crowd chanting, "Manny is a tranny."

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Only thing is, the balls we're getting are actually balls.

Orel said...

RANCHO ARDIENDO
RANCHO ARDIENDO
RANCHO ARDIENDO

MR.F said...

RANCHO ARDIENDO

Alex Cora said...

Come on guys Bases JUICED!!!

rbnlaw said...

Rancho Cucamunga!!

Orel said...

This is such a strange feeling.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

RANCHO MARTIENDO

Orel said...

Blan-ton @ 61 pitches.

Alex Cora said...

Doobe Doobe Doo...

Paul said...

Does blanton color his chin hair?


Come Russ totally redeem yourself!!

Fred's Brim said...

just a walk, Russ...

Orel said...

Time for Russell to make me not write that critical post about him I have planned.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Take a hit off a Doobie...instructed pitcher.

Orel said...

Good eye, Russ.

Orel said...

WOW!

Fred's Brim said...

ripped!!
tie game!

Alex Cora said...

YES!!!! J mart!!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

TIE!!! SUCK IT PHIWWIES!!!

karina said...

@Rbnlaw "if you're needing inspiration, King James is where i go, i go"

New game! that's my son!

Paul said...

Yeah haw!!!

rbnlaw said...

@MLASF,
Our balls are true.

@karina,
Don't Go Back to Rockville.

J Mart with the ribbie!

Erin said...

Russell, I take bak every bad thing I ever said about you...

...but I reserve the right to change my mind the next time you GIDP to the left side during a crucial rally.

Fred's Brim said...

this would be a good time for Casey to break out

Orel said...

SHOW 'EM WHAT A BEARD IS MADE OF

Paul said...

Come on Casey totally redeem yourself.

chexxum said...

BACK TO GOLDEN GOD STATUS!?

Orel said...

Casey is totally due.

karina said...

Rbnlaw and waste another year?
I'd rather be all the way to Reno.

Orel said...

That was a Kempian swing-and-miss.

Orel said...

3-1 count to the Beard!

Orel said...

C'mon, Casey. Work the walk.

rbnlaw said...

I'd like a Beard on base, please.

Orel said...

But don't K looking, okay?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

C'mon, Casey!

Orel said...

Dammit. And Wolf leads off the next inning.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Damn, so close to taking the lead.

Alex Cora said...

Darn, but will take it!

MR.F said...

O-Dawg forever, beard not right now.

Paul said...

Crap. Tied it up on two outs.

Fred's Brim said...

damn

tie is fine by me though

chexxum said...

I was hoping for one of those special Utley throws to first :(

Orel said...

Yes, it could have been a better inning. But it could have not happened at all. So, I'll take it.

karina said...

*sigh* what noisy cats are we.

If we believe, there's nothing on their sleeve.

rbnlaw said...

Crap.

Well, Jefferson, were not lost.

Erin said...

So we'll just get no-hit tonight? Is that it?

Orel said...

"I'll take it": The official phrase of SoSG commenters!

Orel said...

Blanton at 69 pitches. We need to knock him out, and soon!

Erin said...

I don't know why my "we'll just get no-hit tonight?" comment just got posted again at this point. That's annoying and strange.

karina said...

It's a new game! see the bright side.

Alex Cora said...

If Wolf shuts them down this inning, we have this game.

Orel said...

I was wondering about that, Erin. Perhaps you slipped into a time-space vortex.

Alex Cora said...

Man, those philie fans are really quiet now..

Paul said...

Erin

I thought you just reposted it to prolong the jinx on Blanton

Fred's Brim said...

when is Utley going to come out about his shoulder injury?

rbnlaw said...

Wolf is certainly brave

Orel said...

Nice rainbow curve!

rbnlaw said...

Uncle Charlie from the Oddfellows 151

Orel said...

I think we're going to break 700 comments tonight.

Alex Cora said...

Howard took a curtain call after that HR?? Really?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Suck it, Pig Snout.

MR.F said...

THE, HOWARD, THE

Alex Cora said...

YEAH!!! Strike out!

Orel said...

Ks Howard looking. Nice.

Paul said...

Randy big K!! I'll take it!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Randy's cruising now.

Orel said...

To be fair, it was a perfunctory curtain call.

Orel said...

Ahead on Werth 0-2.

Orel said...

Werth has a landing strip on his chin.

Paul said...

Breaking 700 equals a W

Fred's Brim said...

nice!

MR.F said...

THE, JAYSON, THE

Alex Cora said...

CRUISE CONTROL!!!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

You can literally hear the silence.

Orel said...

Wow! Ks Werth swinging! I think Randy's in a groove!

Erin said...

Oh, Randy Wolf. I'm totally in love.

Orel said...

I hope Wolf gets a single here, or at least makes Blanton throw some pitches.

Fred's Brim said...

agreed Orel - take pitches until you walk or strike out

Alex Cora said...

Is that the Sounds of Silence?

Paul said...

The wolf man is howling. He is feeling it. I think he gets a hit next.

Erin said...

How many pitches for Wolf?

Orel said...

We need to get to that bullpen!

Alex Cora said...

Ok, time to bat around again.

Orel said...

Wolf at 60 pitches.

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