NLCS Game 5 Thread @ Quakers, 5p

A big tip o' the fitted cap to Erin at Robots Took My Medicine for those kickass buttons pictured above, as well as her piece, "A Home Away from Home", which could also be called "Your Guide to SoSG Game Threads."

Vicente Padilla (0-0, 1.23) vs. Cole Hamels (1-0, 6.75).

What? Another Game Thread? That's right, the season didn't end Monday night — it just felt like it. There's at least nine more innings of baseball left in the Dodgers' season, and so SoSG presents:

NINE REASONS DODGER FANS SHOULDN'T STOP BELIEVIN'

1. The "Don't Stop Believin' " Guy hasn't stopped believing. Hence his name.

2. This could be the last time. It's Splitsville for Mom & Dad. Kim Ng could be hitting the 5 South. Donnie Baseball could be headed to Cleveland or D.C. O-Dog and the Wolfman will probably be signing long-term deals elsewhere. If you like this year's edition of the Dodgers, you'll want to watch every moment they have left together.

3. If you don't watch, then the Phillie Phanatic will have won. And then Tommy would be sad.

4. We still have to hold up our end of the Freeway Series. Screw the TV ratings. Another East Coast World Series? Yawn.

5. Who has Game 6 tickets? 'Nuff said.

6. It's another chance to listen to Vin. Keep delaying that radio feed, KABC!

7. Everybody hurts. Especially Jonathan Broxton. Whatever you feel about him — and there's a lot of feelings about him out there — he needs the support of Dodger fans as long as there's still baseball to play (see Holliday, Matt).

8. What else are you going to do? Work? Spend time with the family? You're not going to check TBS just once? You're going to stay away from Gameday altogether? Yeah right.

9. Sí, se puede! Remember 1988? Get in on the ground floor. Remember the 4+1 game? Don't be the guy in his car way in the background whose taillights light up after the rally starts. Don't be that guy.

GO DODGERS!

DSBG: Orel/SoSG; Broxton: David J. Phillip/AP

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!

NLCS Game 3 Thread @ Cheesesteaks, 5p

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Hiroki Kuroda (0-0, -.--) vs. Clifton Phifer Lee (0-0, -.--).

The Dodgers and 'Steaks take their competition for the ultimate prize to the cold, wet confines of Citizens Bank Park (while that other L.A. team is gladly trading freezing rain for sunshine after going down 2-0 to the Yankees).

Plan A for the Dodgers: Beat Cliff Lee, who was 14-13 with a 3.22 ERA during the regular season. Hmmm, Plan A might not be so easy. Plan B: Get into Philly's bullpen. After all, it worked in Game 2 (and almost in Game 1). But how many pitches will it take to knock out Lee?

Quite a few, as it turns out. In 24 of Lee's 34 starts this season, he threw over 100 pitches. Three times he threw 122 pitches, and once he threw 124. So will the Dodgers swing early or try to go deep into counts? Will they have a Plan C?

Kuroda hasn't pitched in a real game in nearly three weeks, but Joe Torre made a wise choice for the Dodgers' toughest start of the season. Kuroda combines the experience of a veteran with the toughness of, well, someone who took a nasty line drive to the head and came back stronger than before. It doesn't hurt that Kuroda was actually more effective on the road this season, going 6-3 in away games and 2-4 at Dodger Stadium.

So grab that poncho and melt that Cheez Whiz — we're going to be in Philadelphia for a few days.

GO DODGERS!

cheesesteak photo from Roadfood.com; other photos by Rob Carr/AP

NLCS Game 2 Thread vs. Fleas, 1p

Pedro Martinez (0-0, -.--) vs. Vicente Padilla (0-0, -.--).

Q: What do the McCourts and the Dodgers have in common?
A: They both want a split at home! HA HA HA

If you thought yesterday was weird, it gets weirder. Pedro vs. Padilla in the postseason, and we're not talking Mets vs. Rangers. The Dodgers are looking to recover from the pesky Phils' offensive onslaught, which has battered them for three straight NLCS games (dating back to last year).

In an attempt to reverse the powerful negative mojo vortex started by Matt Stairs and continued by Carlos Ruiz, we are sending an unprecedented four Sons (AC, Delino, Orel, and Sax) to today's game. I have it on good authority that Rob from 6-4-2 will also be in attendance, so the Dodgers' at-game Blog-Fu should be strong today.

GO BLUE!!!

NLCS Game 1 Thread vs. Fillies, 5p

The playoff beards of Clayton Kershaw.

Cole Hamels (0-0, -.--) vs. Clayton Kershaw (0-0, -.--).

Hey, they reset pitching stats after each round. Who knew? Anyhoo, it's time to put aside Dodger Divorce Thoughts and refocus on the here and now: 21-year-old Kershaw, who in two years has gone from callow rookie fireballer to grizzled (see above) NLCS Game 1 starter. Kershaw's left-handedness will come in handy against Subway pitchman Ryan Howard, although it won't necessarily give him the edge against Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez.

And if Kershaw needs a hand, we can expect to see Chad Billingsley out of the bullpen — a move he took graciously. "We're here to win games. We're not here for individual achievements," he said, and it makes you root for him that much more. (Additional roster updates: Hiroki Kuroda and Scott Elbert in, Jon Garland and NLDS Game 1 bullpen hero Jeff Weaver out.)

As for the Dodger hitters, they're big boys now. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are the boppers; Manny Ramirez is now a complementary piece, not the centerpiece. Rafael Furcal, Casey Blake and James Loney are the glue. Remember, this is the same lineup that outscored the Cardinals 13-6 in the three-game NLDS.

Hamels went 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA against the Dodgers in last year's NLCS, but don't expect those numbers again this year. Why? Call it the Brett Tomko Effect. (Plus, Hamels is a new daddy and therefore sleep-deprived. If he's not? Deadbeat dad.) Tell you what, Mr. Hamels: Prove us right and we'll rename this principle Cole's Law. Get it? HA HA HA

Kershaw 1: AP photo; Kershaw 2: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images; Kemp: Mark J. Terrill/AP

NLDS Game 3 Thread @ Fredbirds, 3p

Brrrrrrrrr.

Vicente Padilla (0-0, -.--) vs. Joel Pineiro (0-0, -.--).

Thursday's game-time temperature at Dodger Stadium: 71 degrees. Today's high in St. Louis: 60 degrees. Today's low: 38 degrees. In other words, the Dodgers can expect a chilly reception at Busch Stadium in more ways than one.

Heavy rains canceled on-field practice yesterday.

While a 2-0 lead over the Cardinals is pretty much a dream come true, a road win is the next big test the Dodgers must pass. And they would prefer not to stay in St. Louis for a second longer than necessary.

With his game-tying hit in Game 2, Ronnie Belliard has officially displaced Orlando Hudson as the Dodgers' starting second baseman. The O-Dog is handling the situation with his usual class: "I'm all right, I'm all right....I'll do whatever they need me to do," he told the Daily News.

Most of the other regular starters have already made offensive playoff contributions: Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have homered, and Casey Blake worked that incredible nine-pitch walk to set up Belliard's Hudson-bumping RBI.

RBI-less so far are James Loney and Manny Ramirez. Will Road Loney make an appearance in St. Louis? Can Manny erase a disappointing regular season with one big postseason swing?

And then there's the question of Vicente Padilla. Whether he's earned the right to start a game before Chad Billingsley is a subject for debate, but the Dodgers have shown that while a spectacular start would be welcome, a solid start will suffice. Fortunately, Padilla has pitched effectively and remained on his best behavior since joining the team, knowing a strong playoff performance will enhance his value as a free agent this off-season.

So there you have it. One game from the NLCS. Momentum on our side. The team feeling loose and confident, but not cocky. Let's give the Cards something to talk about with the Cubs.

GO BLUE!

1: Jon SooHoo/Dodgers; 2 & 3: AP photos

NLDS Game 2 Thread vs. Jose Cardenal, 3p

I wouldn't mind seeing more of this.

Clayton Kershaw (0-0, -.--) vs. Adam Wainwright (0-0, -.--).

What, we don't even get to bask in the afterglow of the Dodgers' Game 1 victory for at least 24 hours? There's no reason to believe Adam Wainwright will be as ineffective as Chris Carpenter was last night, but there's also no reason to believe Clayton Kershaw can't be much more effective than Randy Wolf was. Although stranding more men than "Lost" can be frustrating, it beats the alternative: more whiffs than alumni of "Friends" and "Seinfeld" combined. (Note: SoSG is not a Nielsen blog.)

Jonathan Broxton joins the multiple-exposure club.

Matt Kemp's highlight blow last night makes it tempting to overlook his defensive lapses to begin and end the game (although the first-inning misplay was largely Ronnie Belliard's doing). Let's hope Gold Glove-Bison returns today. Also overlooked from last night: James Loney and Casey Blake, each 2-for-4 at the plate. With offense again being at a premium today, let's also hope the Dodgers can start a rally before getting two outs.

Does it sound like I'm complaining? Sorry, I don't mean to sound ungrateful. Guess a four-hour nail-biter will do that to you. Today's a new day; the sun will be out, the shadows will be looming. And the Dodgers have the momentum (for what it's worth).

GO BLUE!

Pujols: Jae C. Hong/AP; Broxton: Matt A. Brown/MLB.com

UPDATE 2.37p: 20 minutes to game time...here's a shot from the Stadium from SoSG reader Alejandro Pena:

NLDS Game 1 Thread vs. Stanfords, 6:30p

Randy Wolf vs. Chris Carpenter.

COMMENTS: Not to say this first game is huge, but we're going up against a heavily-hyped powerhouse in Carpenter that really needs no other introduction; his league-leading ERA speaks for itself. And Carpenter goes deep, as well--not only as a pitcher (in his two games against the Dodgers this year, he went seven and eight innings, winning both), but also as a hitter (one grand slam this season). This will be quite a test; even AccuScore has us at only a 42% chance of winning (for reference, we had a 46% chance of winning 2008 NLDS Game 1 vs. the Cubs).

But the Divisional Series are crapshoots, gentlemen; anything can happen. Goliaths can be toppled.

Meanwhile, if there was ever a time to give Wolf a reward for a season full of No Decisions, this would be it. Wolf is 0-1 against the Cardinals this year, but can be counted on to go equally deep into games and is quite durable (leading the NL in starts with 34, and leading the Dodgers with 214.1 IP). Tonight is Wolf's first career playoff appearance. Let's win one for the Wolfer, Dodgers!

I will be at the game today and hope to see you all there. I'll be the one in the Dodgers road jersey and cap.

Go Dodgers!

Game 162 Thread: Oct. 4 vs. Dingers, 1p

Vicente Padilla (11-6, 4.55) vs. Jason Marquis (15-12, 3.95).

Finally, a meaningless game! The NL WEST CHAMPION Dodgers will rest for Wednesday and see what Padilla can offer against the Cardinals in the playoffs. The NL Wild Card Rockies will also rest for Wednesday, perhaps conserving Marquis' arm for the Phillies. Rest up, Dodger fans: It's going to be an exciting month!

UPDATE: Today's storylines:

• Will Kemp raise his average over .300? He's currently at .298 and needs to go 3 for 4 to reach .300. Statistically, 2 for 2 gets it done too.
• How many at-bats will Hudson get? Each AB earns him $10K.
• Will Brad Ausmus pull a Lou Piniella?

(Thanks to the True Blue LA comments section for the picture!)

Game 161 Thread: Oct. 3 vs. Jar Jar Binkies, 7p

Tonight is Star Wars Night at Dodger Stadium!

Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.89) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (16-9, 4.45).

May the Force be with us? Please?

Game 160 Thread: Oct. 2 vs. Brockies, 7p

Randy Wolf (11-6, 3.22) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (14-12, 3.52).

Hello, this is Kent Brockman. In sports news, the Dodgers are ending their season with a meaningless series against Colorado, since the Dodgers long ago clinched the division —

one moment, I'm getting a note from our producers —

What? You've got to be kidding. They lost three of four to the Pirates? And got swept by the Padres? What the hell is wrong with these ****ers? No, I won't watch my language. I don't care if we're still on the air —

Manny photo by Jon SooHoo/Dodgers

Game 159 Thread: Sept 30 @ Johnny Podres, 7p

Jon Garland (11-12, 3.90) vs. Clayton Richard (8-5, 4.62).
DODGERS' MAGIC NUMBER: There is no magic number. It's all in your mind.

Why are the Dodgers playing one of their own former players? It makes no sense. Anyhoo, did you know the Dodgers haven't been swept all season? It's true. So, more than one significant event hangs on the outcome of tonight's game, this being the second game of a two-game series. I've never heard of Clayton Richard, but if he's the bastard child of Clayton Kershaw and J.R. Richard, we're in trouble.

(Thanks to Julie Hibbard for the picture!)

Game 158 Thread: Sept 29 @ Friars, 7p

Chad Billingsley (12-10, 4.07) vs. Cesar Ramos (0-1, 1.69).

COMMENTS: The Dodgers need one win in their last five games, or one Colorado loss in its last six games, to clinch the NL West. 11 opportunities, and only one has to go the Dodgers' way. And this one won't be it.

No, not with Chad Billingsley on the mound, after his last performance which had a promising start (no ball left the infield until the fourth inning) turned into a disaster on one pitch (a game-tying Ryan Zimmerman three-run HR, leaving Bills with an ND). Not with Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake nursing sore hamstrings. Not with a closer who couldn't take advantage of a three-run lead gift-wrapped to him in the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon. Not with a team who lost three of four in PNC Park, putting them 3-4 on this roadtrip against the majors' worst. Not with a Padre pitcher making the first big-league start of his career.

Nope, it's not going to happen today. Might as well wait until tomorrow.

illustration: My Medicated Cartoon Life

Game 157 Thread: Sept 28 @ Buccaneers, 9:30a

Hiroki Kuroda (8-6, 3.65) vs. Zach Duke (10-15, 4.06).
DODGERS' MAGIC NUMBER: 1

What a rarity, a Monday-morning game. But it's probably a good thing if it can clear the stench of yesterday's game from the air. Can the Dodgers redeem themselves, or will they head to San Diego having lost four of seven to the league's two worst teams? Never cease trusting!

(Thanks to Loney Fan for the picture!)

Game 156 Thread: Sept 27 @ Pyrates, 10:30a

Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.85) vs. Daniel McCutchen (0-2, 5.25).
DODGERS' MAGIC NUMBER: 1

What's sexier than making the playoffs? Making the playoffs with a healthy Clayton Kershaw! After injuring his shoulder on September 6, Kershaw has only pitched two innings, those coming in a blowout relief appearance. Today Clayton makes his case for the post-season starting rotation. Let's hope there's not much of a counter-argument*.

*A little something for all you law-talking guys out there.

Game 155 Thread: Sept 26 @ Pie Rats, 4p

Randy Wolf (11-6, 3.24) vs. Paul Maholm (8-9, 4.46).
DODGERS' MAGIC NUMBERS: 1 (to make playoffs), 3 (to win division)

So a man goes to the doctor and says, "Doctor, it hurts when I do this."

The doctor replies, "_________________________!"

Game 154 Thread: Sept 25 @ Pirates, 4p

Pittsburgh breaks out its finest security measures to herald the Dodgers' arrival into town for a four-game series

Jon Garland (11-11, 4.02) vs. Jeff Karstens (3-5, 5.53).

DODGERS MAGIC NUMBERS: 1 to make the postseason; 3 to win the NL West

COMMENTS: The Dodgers' march toward the postseason is getting so intense (a phenomenon foreign to Pirates fans), that increased security detail for the team is in order. Trade imbalances and disparities between bigger economic powers (Dodgers, $100M payroll) and "developing" markets (Pirates, $49M payroll) will definitely be topics for heated discussion over the course of this four-day summit. That, and the fact that one more Dodger victory secures postseason play for our boys in blue.

photo: Keith Hodan / Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Game 153 Thread: Sept 24 @ Expos, 4p

Vicente Padilla (11-6, 4.52) vs. J.D. Martin (5-4, 4.21).

DODGERS' MAGIC NUMBERS: 2 to make playoffs; 5 to win NL West

COMMENTS: This is a pretty important start for Padilla--not the point of no return, but still critical if he wants to be considered for the postseason roster--as he looks to rebound from his last crappy start against the Giants, his first loss since joining the Dodgers. And while Padilla/Martin sounds like a normal battery, this Padilla/Martin matchup is quite different. Montreal starts a pitcher whom mlb.com says "is...the second best pitcher in the Expos' rotation. Last Friday, he pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on seven hits against the Mets. Martin is second on the team in wins with five."

FIVE? Five measly wins gets you second place and a set of steak knives? Let me be the one to tell you, when you only have 52 total wins on the team, it's mathematically plausible, but I wouldn't go around trumpeting a win total smaller than that of Jeff Weaver; Martin would be the Expos' equivalent of Matt Cain, Adam Wainwright, and Cliff Lee. Wow. Tell you what, Torre, let's just make this interesting, and throw out there whomever the hell you want for this lineup!

Game 152 Thread: Sept 23 @ Nads, 4p

Chad Billingsley (12-10, 4.05) vs. Ross Detwiler (0-6, 5.80).
DODGERS' MAGIC NUMBERS: 2 (to make playoffs), 6 (to win division)

COMMENTS: This may not be Chadley's last chance to redeem his 2009 season, but it's his best chance. A poor performance by Bills against the Glass Joe of the majors would just about ruin his chances of starting the in playoffs. However, a strong performance wouldn't necessarily guarantee him a start, and a so-so performance would just leave us all frustrated. Hopefully the bats will follow their cue from yesterday's drubbing and provide Mr. Thighs with some run support, allowing Chad to Punch-Out!! the Nads!

Game 151 Thread: Sept 22 @ Natty Dreads, 4p

Hiroki Kuroda (7-6, 3.86) vs. Livan Hernandez (8-11, 5.22).
DODGERS' MAGIC NUMBERS: 4 (playoffs), 7 (division)

COMMENTS: Irie! Lively up yourself as the Dodgers get ready to roll the Nattys like a big fattie. Kuroda continues to shake off the effects of that nasty knock to the noggin and whip himself into playoff shape while Hernandez, released by the Mets last month, is finding a home with the bottom-feedingest group of rude boys in the majors. As for the Rockies? The harder they come, the harder they fall. What I say now!