NLCS Gameday: Dodgers at Phillies, Game 4
Los Angeles Dodgers (1-2) at Philadelphia Phillies (2-1)
Randy Wolf, LHP vs. Joe Blanton, RHP
Time: 8:07 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Clear, 44
TV: TBS
Twitter: Phillies Nation
Ho-Lee smokes. That was some sort of outing, eh?
Cliff Lee absolutely dominated the L.A. Dodgers last night at CBP, firing an eight-inning gem to put the Phils up 2-1 in the NLCS. His performance was one of the finest in Phillies history.
Joe Blanton doesn’t have to repeat last night’s outing, but no one would mind if he did. Although he has not started a game since October 2 against Florida, Blanton has toed the rubber twice during the playoffs, with both appearances coming against Colorado in relief. Last postseason against the Dodgers, Blanton was decent, giving up three earned runs over five innings in the Game 4 victory. A repeat performance of that would be just fine tonight. And if Blanton comes up big, the Phillies will be in control of this series.
Standing in the way of that is an old Philly favorite. Randy Wolf will face off against the Phils for the fourth time in his career, but the first in the playoffs as a member of the Dodgers. Wolf is 1-1 against his former club in 2009, with two very different games. On May 13 in Philadelphia, Wolf was brilliant, striking out eight over six-innings, allowing just one earned run. On June 7, the Phils traveled to L.A. and knocked him around for six earned over 6 1/3. Which Wolfie will we see tonight? Hopefully the latter.
Amazingly, Pedro Feliz has owned Randy Wolf in his career. Feliz is 5-for-17 against Wolf with three homers. However, on the flip side, Ryan Howard has been awful against the junkball-throwing lefty. The Big Piece is just 1-for-9 with four punchouts in his career.
Blanton has been good against Matt Kemp (2-for-11) and Casey Blake (1-for-21) during his career, but awful against Manny Ramirez (14-for 25, HR, 8 RBI) and James Loney (5-for-8).
A commanding 3-games-to-1 lead is on the line tonight in South Philly, and it’s up to Joe Blanton to keep the ball rolling.
Tonight’s Lineup: Rollins (SS), Victorino (CF), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (LF), Feliz (3B), Ruiz (C), Blanton (P).
Sierra Nevada Porter doesn’t have the same malt taste as other beers from the brewery. It has a smoky flavor with hints of dark chocolate in the aftertaste. It is remarkably smooth and an overall great tasting genuine porter. This should keep you nice and warm on this chilly October evening. For dinner tonight: Steak. – By Pat
GO PHILLIES!
