Teller of fortunes: Dodgers vs. Phillies

• Kuo in the Ninth: Assuming he can prove his health earlier in the series, Joe Torre would be wise to consider him in the ninth instead of Jonathan Broxton, should the Utley/Howard tandem come to bat. I mentioned the splits last night, and it's important to remember they apply in save situations, too. 
• People Who Aren't Manny: The Dodgers thrived in round one because Manny was as advertised (.500 BA, .643 OBP, two big homers, and so on and so forth) and the guys around him were good enough.  James Loney- six RBIs.  Russell Martin was big.  Raffy Furcal came through in Game 2.   The Dodgers are going to need more of that.  Not everyone in the supporting cast has to shine at the same time- that almost never happens- but if three or four guys up and down the lineup don't come to Manny's aid, it'll hurt.  Interestingly enough, tonight's starter for Philly, Cole Hamels is actually tougher on righties than lefties, despite his leftiness.  That's good news for Loney, Andre Ethier, and Blake DeWitt. 
• Brett Myers: If Dodger fans have had worries about Hiroki Kuroda's consistency, Phillies Phaithful have the same questions about Brett Myers... except over the course of the year his problem was more with being even decent rather than all over the map.  Myers has had a decent run over the last two months or so and was effective against the Brewers, but I can't believe there's a lot of trust there from fans.  For that matter, fourth starter Joe Blanton is hardly a rock, either.  Overall, the Dodgers enter the series with a big advantage in starting pitching, something that should show through if the series goes long.   It's especially large if the Dodgers choose to...
• Start Clayton Kershaw in Game 4: It'll be Lowe or Kershaw, I would think, but just in case, I thought I'd put this out there.  Joe Torre just can't put Greg Maddux on the mound against guys like Howard and Utley, and Philly's lefty-heavy lineup. 

Prediction: I'm saying LA in seven, but with seven game series, there are two ways to look at it.  One?  The "It's super close, and one team has to win in seven... but I'm really unsure of which."  The other?  Being closer to picking the winning team in six.  I'm closer to the latter.  Obviously, anything can happen, but I believe the Dodgers' advantage in starting pitching is the key here.  They are more likely to have their guys go deeper into games and stay away from mushier parts of the pen, more likely to avoid mistakes, more likely to avoid home runs (even accounting for the difference in parks, the Dodgers don't give up many long balls). 

BK

AK's Two Cents

In addition to what my brother already said, a few thoughts...

• Cory Wade: Blue Notes regulars have probably figured out by now that I'm pretty high on what this oft-unsung hero brings to the table.  But even taking into account that one of the team's more rock solid relievers would naturally play a role in a series' fate, Wade could become a key principle in dealing with Philly's dangerous Utley-Howard lefty tandem.  Yes, Hong-Chih Kuo is the Blue's chief southpaw crusher, but his closest competition is the rookie righty.  Wade is also the pitcher we know for sure is running sharp.  Thus, should Kuo look flat upon return or Torre simply decide to stick with what got the boys this far, don't be surprised if he opts to send in Wade against the NL's 2008 home run king.
• Andre Ethier: He drew four walks over three games against Chicago, but he also struck out just as many times and hit a buck on the series.   Ethier was a big part of the Dodgers taking their collective game to another level.  They can still make the Series if AE continues to slump, but life would be a lot easier if he didn't.
• Hiroki Kuroda: The Japanese import has been lights out against Philly in two starts this season (1-0 with a scant 1.38 ERA).  He's been more successful at home than on the road (which works out well for a dude tossing Game 3).  He notched a fantastic playoff performance at the Ravine after five days of rest (he'll get even more downtime before his next start).  Can any/all the established trends in his favor remain unfettered?
• Angel Berroa: Before the Dodgers clinched the NL, he bought a remote control helicopter.  Before they swept Chicago, he bought a battery powered Ferrarri.  I'm not saying the Dodgers can't win without Berroa picking out a new toy mode of transport.  I just don't consider it a bad thing that our buddy Beto Duran (710 ESPN) recently saw him leafing through a catalog.   

Prediction

Here's the thing.  I predicted the Dodgers wouldn't do much of consequence before the trade deadline.  I was wrong, and in the Dodgers' favor.  I said in early September that they wouldn't make the playoffs.  I was wrong, and in the Dodgers' favor.  I said "Cubs in five."  I was wrong, and in the Dodgers' favor.  Thus, I'm just gonna do Blue loyalists a favor. 

"Phillies in 7." 

Yes, that's my official prediction.  Yes, you're welcome.

AK