Well, That Didn’t Go So Well
October 9, 2008 at 8:12 pm | In 2008 NLCS vs. Phillies, Derek Lowe | 10 Comments
Despite the picture, I can’t pin this one on Derek Lowe entirely. He was humming along through five scoreless innings, and got another easy groundout to start the 6th. Of course, Rafael Furcal threw that ball away, and the next batter, Chase Utley, deposits a ball in the seats. After a Ryan Howard groundout, Pat Burrell puts another one out, and that was the end of Lowe and the Phillies’ scoring. You could make the point that neither ball gets out of a more legitimate ballpark, but that’s neither here nor there since the Dodgers are hitting in the same stadium. You can’t completely give Lowe a pass, but Dodgers pitching shut down one of the best offenses in the game for 8 innings, allowed just 3 runs, and kept Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Ryan Howard, and Jayson Werth all without hits. Coming into the game, most of us would have taken that.
No, the problem tonight was the offense, or depending on how you look at it, Cole Hamels was outstanding. After back-to-back doubles in the first inning by Andre Ethier and Manny, the Dodgers never once could put together more than one hit in an inning, and never came close to putting a rally together. Much of that, of course, is due to Hamels, who might possibly be the most talented starter remaining in the playoffs.
If there is a bright side to this, it’s knowing that the Dodgers pitching can hang with the Phillies offense, and that it took the Philly ace to eke out a one run victory. But that sure does put a lot of pressure on Chad Billingsley tomorrow.
And don’t forget! It’s a 1pm PST start! I don’t want to hear about work or school – it’s the NLCS. If you miss this, you’d better be dead, or in jail. And if you’re in jail… break out!
- Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness 
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[...] Tragic Illness, helped relax me a bit after the fact. Not only did MSTI have its typically good write-up of the game posted, but Mike also added in a nice gem at the end about Friday’s game: And don’t forget! [...]
Pingback by MSTI improves my mood « Blogging by Force — October 9, 2008 #
MSTI, I pin this loss on myself. The Dodgers were ahead 2-0 and Derek Lowe was cruising when I decided that it’d be okay to go to class. 10 minutes later when I checked the score on my phone it was tied up at 2-2 on the Chase Utley home run, and after deciding to stay in class rather than go home for a tied game, the next time I looked it was 3-2. It’s like the baseball gods want me to forsake my education and be a diehard fan instead!
Comment by FireCross — October 9, 2008 #
I hope that means you’re skipping class today.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness — October 10, 2008 #
MSTI, I need help!! I’m a huge Dodger fan from Canada and I don’t know if my boss will leave early because all that matters up here is hockey. Do you have any excusses to get out of here or could you guarantee them money if they let me leave HAHA!!
Go Russell!!!
Comment by JeffHamiltonfan — October 10, 2008 #
Jeff, I’m a big hockey fan too. In fact I’m writing this on my phone at the NHL season opener celebration outside the official NHL store. Tell your boss you have to support Canada and Martin!
Comment by mike scioscia's tragic illness — October 10, 2008 #
I’m sitting right here in front of the TV and will not watch the game today. I give my heart to this team, and the yank it out with a spoon and stomp on it with sharpened spikes. I cannot stand to deal with their failures ever again. I greatly enjoy regular season baseball. I cannot handle my team losing in the postseason. My mental stability comes into question when I’m forced to watch this team lose close ballgames as if they have no interest in winning.
Comment by your mom — October 10, 2008 #
…and yes, I do feel like we fans want the team to win WAY, WAY, WAY more than the players want to win. These players will leave for different teams, they don’t care about the Dodgers. Sure, they want to win when they’re out there, but they don’t demand victory in the name of Dodger Blue… only the fans feel that way. Maybe Russ Martin, he gives you 110% emotion, but the rest of these guys just seem to be hanging out, “Oh there’s a game today? I might as well suit up!”
Comment by your mom — October 10, 2008 #
Mom, I do agree with you somewhat and I’m tired of the failures too. I can only imagine how I’ll feel if they lose this series I had tears in my eyes last night while drinking my 6% beer. It seems you always find guys just going through the motions. For some reason Kemp comes across that way to me.
Comment by JeffHamiltonfan — October 10, 2008 #
JHfan, can’t you just explain to your boss that you’re traveling far, far away for the Thanksgiving weekend (it’s Thanksgiving Monday up there, isn’t it?) and you have to leave early to pack?
Comment by BlueMamma — October 10, 2008 #
Hee hee, 6% beer. I miss Canada.
Comment by BlueMamma — October 10, 2008 #