Must have been a fun flight
Because if there's anything that can make life on a luxurious private jet feel like a trip on Southwest Airlines riding in the middle seat between a pair of 350-lb. sweaty fellas, it's an 8-5 loss to the Phillies in Game 2 of NLCS. And in the case of the Dodgers (the squad on the losing end of this affair), it's not just being defeated, but the way they went down.
Lotta dudes with a lotta time to think about the ways in which they didn't come through.
For starters, there was starter Chad Billingsley, often referred to by Joe Torre as his staff's "horse." 
Unfortunately, his performance yesterday was more along the lines of "rented mule."
Mind you, it was just the second inning that did him in. But when you
only pitch 2.1 frames in all, that doesn't leave
much in the way of a better sample, especially when the disaster
unfurled upon after
retiring the opening pair of batters on strikes. With those two outs
in his pocket, Bills immediately unraveled, allowing a respective single to
Greg Dobbs and Carlos Ruiz (the latter of which brought Philly's
opening score across the plate), then a single to starting counterpart
Bret Meyers. Another ribbie for Philly and the foundation for a day where Myers became the 21st century Babe Ruth (dude could hit and pitch, remember). An error by Matt Kemp put Philly runners in better position to eventually score on a Shane Victorino single before that third out finally came. The ensuing third frame began no better for Bills, who clearly needed to take a seat.
Well, maybe not that "clearly," because Joe Torre opted to leave his starter in the game even after giving an intentional walk to Dobbs that most figured was solely issued to buy time for Chan Ho Park to sufficiently warm up. Nope. Torre stuck with his starter, who induced a force at the plate before falling prey yet again to Meyers' stick. Two more Philadelphia runs and Torre was finally convinced. Unfortunately, the third inning remained disastrous. Park's short stay on the hill was lowlighted by a Jimmy Rollins two-ribbie triple and Joe Beimel tossed a pair of walks to the pair of leftys he was specifically brought in to retire. Finally, James McDonald- one of the game's lone bright spots- came in and mercifully nabbed the third out. From there, even a VERY spirited three-run dinger from Manny could only produce a "close but no cigar" finish to the box score.
Like Butch and Sundance famously kept asking, "Who are these guys?" Hopefully, upon returning to familiar, less frustrating confines, the Dodgers will resemble again the en fuego squad that put school in session against the Cubs. The one that Manny didn't need to remind again to have fun. Hiroki Kuroda will look to get everyone back on track in Game 3.
Even with the Phils win bagged, it was still a very difficult day for Charlie Manuel, one that likely stirred up grueling memories from the day he lost his other parent.
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I hope the coachs and the catchers on the dodgers will start to realize their leadership responibilies in the next 5 games.
Posted by: pk-mesa | October 11, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Furcal
Andre
Manny
Kent--blake
Kemp
Martin
Loney
Blake--kent
Kuroda
Hey remember the start of the season we didn't even know who we are, Everything will be alright
Posted by: pk-mesa | October 11, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I watched "Juno" last night... she could have struck out Myers.
Posted by: benzojones | October 11, 2008 at 01:04 PM
PK,
Kemp's been struggling...why are you moving him up in the lineup while Loney who's been coming through a lot more often down in the lineup?
Posted by: K T | October 11, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Manny has 10 HRs in 60 ABs against Moyer. Maybe we should move him to the clean-up spot?
Posted by: DBrim | October 11, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Given the fact that the Phillies are starting Moyer, and because he's hit well at the top of the lineup, maybe Kemp should be moved up to 2nd or 3rd. His speed also plays well at the top of the lineup (especially in tandem with Furcal). Kemp will ultimately be a middle of the order hitter when he begins to hit for more consistent power. At this stage of his career, however, he might best be served near the top.
Also, hitting Manny cleanup might be good idea. Why only have the 1-2 hitters in front of Manny, when it could be 1-2-3. They probably would all see better pitches to hit.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | October 11, 2008 at 05:18 PM
maybe manny should lead off... take advantage of the extra at bat
Posted by: benzojones | October 11, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Inside SoCal has Nomar starting over Loney. Loney is our most timely hitter and it doesn't really make sense to sit him. Maybe they should start Nomar at third.
Posted by: DBrim | October 11, 2008 at 06:42 PM
WE CAN'T BLAME THE KID BILL'S FOR BLOWING THIS ONE. I BLAME JOE TORRE AND RUSSELL... Good Lord, Am i the only one that sees these things?? JOE TORRE did not get off his a.s.s, AGAIN, UNTIL ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE AGAIN... "i didnt' want to do it to him, because he's been great all year long" - TORRE... WHAT?????? IT'S THE PLAY-OFFS MAN!!!!!! GET UP FROM YOUR A.S.S. AND GO TALK TO THE KID SO HE CAN COME DOWN. MAKE A DECISION....
GOOD LORD ALIVE!!!!!! Same goes for Martin. It's Martin's job to walk out there and talk to the kid. What in the world are we doing???????....... LIKE I'VE SAID BEFORE - GREAT MAN, GOOD GUY, TERRIBLE MANAGER.... GREAT GUY WITH PLAYERS THAT HAVE BIG EGOS..... TERRIBLE MANAGER, TERRIBLE LEADER OF MAN.... GREAT STORY STORY TELLER.... TERRIBLE MANAGER!!!!!
Posted by: Frankie | October 11, 2008 at 06:55 PM
BK, just taking a quick look at the pitching for tomorrow nights game. Again I don't see a big Dodger advantage (shocking I know). I have seen Kuroda have good stuff and he very may well have it tomorrow night but... his 4-4, 4.14 ERA since the all-star break is the definition of mediocrity. I know he's new to MLB but he is also a veteran and not likely to get rattled. If you look at Moyer since the All Star break he is 8-1, 3.39 ERA. He's got more MLB experience than Kuroda and is not likely to get rattled by the pressure. either Granted, Moyer was not good against Milwaukee in game 3 of NLDS. That does give me a little pause but don't believe that it will carry over due to his experience. Kuroda's 6.1 innings w/ 0 earned runs agains the Cubs is impressive though.
In the end, I'll take the pitcher who is +7 in the win column with a 3.39 ERA since the All Star game over the .500 pitcher with an ERA over 4. I'm gonna keep looking for that big pitching advantage the Dodgers have. Remember, it's all in fun and I really like your blog.
Posted by: Fightin' Phil | October 11, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Kt I don't know just a thought!
Posted by: pk-mesa | October 11, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Benzo that sounds very interesting, but can just have three batters like in that movie with reggie and rob s.
Posted by: pk-mesa | October 11, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Fightin' Phil: Take a look at Kuroda's home/road splits and his stats on long rest before you make the judgment. He'll be fine tomorrow, and I'm fairly confident that we'll see the "right" Kuroda tomorrow.
Posted by: DBrim | October 11, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Phil-
Okay, you've got me so far (haha). I guess this is why they don't play the games on paper, right?
As for Kuroda, he's actually been very solid over the last 10 weeks or so. Go back to August 1, and in 9 of his 12 starts, he's allowed three runs or fewer. I have an enormous amount of respect for Moyer, who turned himself into an incredibly valuable pitcher despite throwing about 29 miles an hour and growing extremely old (by pro sports standards, of course). Kuroda has been very sold at home, Moyer on the road, so it should be a good matchup. I'd still give the edge to LA, even if slight.
Friday's game took a big bite out of my pre-series analysis, that's for sure. I was right about Myers, who wasn't very good (pitching, at least), but was way off about Billingsley. He was terrible.
No worries about the teasing- I know it's all in fun. If you can't have a little fun talking sports, where can you have it? By the way, the Phillies fans were all very nice to me- though it might have been because you guys were winning.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 11, 2008 at 08:42 PM
BK,
I'm sure it's because they were winning... even Rollins says the Phils fans are "Front Runners". Fightin Phil... keep fighting among yourselves... don't bring any of that trash on to us true fans of the game.
Kemp??
I've been defending the young'ins all year but Kemp has really put on the crapper?!! We might as well have AJ in center... at least he makes plays out there... if Kemp doesn't bootsy the ball by Rollins, Dodgers win.. I said it... I'm blaming Kemp. His at bats are worthless... god darn it... it reminds me of Sweeney from the right side??!!
PK,
Classic line... "Don't be a Plaschke".... yeap, dodgers fans please don't be a plaschke.
VABlood,
Yeah we should remember that this is all GRAVY! We weren't even suppose to make it to the playoffs and then to sweep the Cubs too.
Hollywood Mark,
Again sir, you are losing it. I love how you come on here and say Torre should be playing the Vets??!! Where the hell were you when the rooks were sweeping the Cubs. Where were you when the rooks WON THE DIVISION!!! Had Torre stayed course with the vets... the Dodgers never play a playoff game.. SIMPLE! What came first the chicken or the egg??!! Your glass in half empty all the time, everyday!
Posted by: Rob | October 11, 2008 at 10:31 PM
BK,
You're right, nice stats for Kuroda since 8/1. In Moyer's last 10 regular season starts he is 6-0 with a 3.55 ERA, not bad for a grandpop.
So, on paper, it's going to be a GREAT pitcher's duel.
If the Dodger's youngsters are patient and don't chase Moyer's pitches the Dodgers will win. If they jump at his pitches and try to win the series back in one game he will eat them up.
Rob,
Thank you for your opinion. Hope you enjoy the game.
FP
Posted by: Fightin' Phil | October 12, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Fightin Phil -
Though the Phils have won the first 2 games, I'm not sure it is clear that the Phils pitching is better than the Dodgers - I recognize you're really only arguing that the Dodgers have no advantage in pitching - but the pitching argument almost seems to downplay where the Phils really do have an advantage - and that's offensively. The Phils hitting the Dodgers pitching does not make the Dodger pitching lousy. After all, Philly led the NL in home runs, were 2nd in slugging % and 2nd in runs scored. So, I'm not sure it should be a big shock that the Phillies are scoring runs in this series. They have scored runs all year long. The Dodgers, on the other hand, ranked 13th out of 16 in all these categories. Obviously, they were a lot better after getting Manny, but even after acquiring Manny, the Phils scored more runs than LA in Aug & Sept.
What this series may do is put a little dent in the old adage that "good pitching beats good hitting." In my view, the Phils are a team with very solid pitching and a great offense - probably better balanced than the Dodgers are - but the Dodgers did lead the league in OBP against and ERA (the Phils were 6th and 4th) and they struck out more guys than the Phils did and walked fewer as well. It was logical to conclude the Dodgers had at least a small advantage in pitching - but it was also logical to conclude the Phils were better offensively.
I know the ball park affects these stats, I'm just saying you can see where the arguement would come from.
Posted by: OhioVic | October 12, 2008 at 07:57 AM
OhioVic,
Couldn't agree more, with everything you said.
FP
Posted by: Fightin' Phil | October 12, 2008 at 09:01 AM