News
Sarah's Take: LA should win NLCS
Flawless defense, patient offense help cause vs. Phils
By Sarah D. Morris / Special to Dodgers.com
10/17/09 3:25 PM ET
The Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied at one game apiece in the National League Championship Series. So far in the series, both games have been hotly contested because the Dodgers and the Phillies are evenly matched. Before it began, the media experts thought the series would be long and close, and now they seem to be right. This series could be an epic battle. After Friday's dramatic eighth-inning comeback victory, I think the Dodgers will be able to win and earn the right to go to the World Series.To me, the first game was forgettable for both teams. Although the Dodgers didn't make an error, they didn't play as well as they can. Clayton Kershaw began the game well, but the umpire's consistently small strike zone unnerved the talented 21-year-old kid. By the fifth inning, Kershaw had lost it, but manager Joe Torre left him in the game past his usefulness. I know it is easy to second-guess, but leaving Kershaw in for the fifth probably cost the Dodgers the game.
Did the long layoff between games affect the Dodgers? Definitely. The Dodgers never saw reliever George Sherrill have problems with his control until Thursday. Pitching for the first time in a week affected Kershaw's control. The next time he pitches, Kershaw will be better.
On Friday, Pedro Martinez and Vicente Padilla engaged in a classic pitching duel. Both the Dodgers and the Phillies have great offenses, so it was hard to imagine that these two starters would shut their opponents down. Both have been good pitchers in the past, but most people believe they are past their primes. On Friday, they showed that they are underestimated.
Martinez is not the same pitcher who earned Cy Young Awards in 1997, 1999 and 2000. Back then, he relied on a blazing fastball to fool the hitters. Since he was young, he has had a devastating changeup. Over the years, Martinez has developed a good curveball and cutter. Since 2006, he has battled various arm injuries. After last season, most people thought Martinez had played his last game in the Major Leagues.
This spring, Martinez pitched for his native Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic, and he was dominating. Although many teams wanted him for a performance-laden contract, Martinez remained unsigned until July because he thought he deserved more than that. He pitched OK for the Phillies in August and September.
Martinez had not pitched since Sept. 29. Most pitchers struggle with their control when they don't pitch regularly. However, Martinez had pinpoint control, and he never threw two consecutive pitches at the same speed through his seven innings of two-hit ball. The Dodgers were consistently off-balance, unable to time his pitches. The way Martinez carved the strike zone and changed speeds reminded me of Greg Maddux. The Dodgers must give the future Hall of Famer credit for a terrifically pitched game.
Padilla pitched equally well as Martinez and enabled his team to win. He baffled the Phillies with a blazing fastball that hit all of the corners of the strike zone. His slow curve proved to be unhittable. He was never in trouble. He walked only one, the last hitter that he faced in the eighth. Though he allowed a solo home run to Ryan Howard, Padilla again gave the Dodgers exactly what they needed to win and gave the bullpen a rest.
In the postseason, the Dodgers haven't committed a fielding error. This has made their opponent earn their runs and create their scoring opportunities. When their opponents have made an error, the Dodgers have pounced on the gift to score. Although they have wasted many chances to score, they have taken advantage of the gifts.
On Friday, the Dodgers looked like they were going to lose the game, meaning that they would have gone to Philadelphia down two games. Although it would be not impossible to win the series, it would have been difficult for the Dodgers. However, these Dodgers don't understand the meaning of give up. On Friday, their unsinkable spirit was on display.
Casey Blake, who looked awful against Martinez, opened the eighth with a single. Torre elected to have Juan Pierre run for Blake. Ronnie Belliard bunted the ball hard, and it should have been fielded by the Phillies for an out. But they couldn't, and Belliard was safe at first. Russell Martin hit a perfect double-play ball, but the Phillies couldn't complete it. A wild throw enabled Pierre to score. The inability of the Phillies' bullpen to throw a strike enabled the Dodgers to win.
No one knows which team will win the NLCS. It will continue to be exciting. If the Dodgers can make the Phillies' starters work hard in the early innings so that they can get to the weak bullpen, they should win the series, especially if they continue to play flawless defense. Although the Phillies are a good team, I don't have any doubt that the Dodgers are better.
Sarah D. Morris is the editor of Sarah's Dodger Place. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
