These two classic National League teams have met three times before in the NLCS, with the Dodgers winning twice. Both have been redhot lately, and this series should go six or seven games. The Phillies and Dodgers each won four games against the other this year, both sweeping at home. Here’s how they stack up:
CATCHER
Carlos Ruiz vs. Russell Martin
Martin has tremendous plate discipline and can come through in the clutch if needed. Ruiz managed just one hit in the NLDS against Milwaukee.
EDGE: Dodgers
FIRST BASE
Ryan Howard vs. James Loney
Loney got the Dodgers going against the Cubs with his Game 1 grand slam but, he’s not yet in the same class as Howard. In the deciding Game 4, the Brewers intentionally walked Howard and Pat Burrell made them pay with a three-run home run.
EDGE: Phillies
SECOND BASE
Chase Utley vs. Blake DeWitt
DeWitt has stepped in for Jeff Kent and done fairly well. Utley was 2-for-15 vs. Milwaukee, with his one big hit coming on a misplayed ball, but the combination of Utley and Howard at the 3-4 spots forces the opposing manager to have a lefty reliever ready late.
EDGE: Phillies
THIRD BASE
Pedro Feliz vs. Casey Blake
Blake, the Dodgers’ “other” midseason acquisition, has been a factor since arriving in July. He hit 10 home runs in the final two months of the season and had two RBIs vs. the Cubs. Phillies may use Greg Dobbs instead of Feliz in a game or two.
EDGE: Dodgers
SHORTSTOP
Jimmy Rollins vs. Rafael Furcal
Rollins silenced the Miller Park crowd with his leadoff homer in Sunday clinching win. Furcal missed most of this season after back surgery. He batted .333 against the Cubs, but it’s still unclear if he’s 100 percent.
EDGE: Phillies
LEFT FIELD
Pat Burrell vs. Manny Ramirez
Despite Burrell’s three-hit, four-RBI, two-homer finale vs. the Brewers, this isn’t close. Ramirez’s impact on the Dodgers should be measured on the Richter scale. The bigger the stage, the better Manny gets, and Citizens Bank Park is a hitter’s heaven.
EDGE: Dodgers
CENTER FIELD
Shane Victorino vs. Matt Kemp
This one is close, but Victorino is the type of gutty player anyone would want on their team. He has a bruised right shin but has shown no ill effects.
EDGE: Phillies
RIGHT FIELD
Jayson Werth vs. Andre Ethier
Both up-and-coming players, but Werth looked lost at times against Milwaukee, striking out six times, but he homered on Sunday. Ethier had one hit and four strikeouts against the Cubs.
EDGE: Dodgers
STARTING PITCHING
If both staffs pitch like they did in the last round, this will be a lowscoring series. The Phillies have the edge because of what they got out of Joe Blanton in Milwaukee. If he and Brett Myers are lights-out again it could be the difference in the series. Derek Lowe has been great in the postseason and his matchup with Cole Hamels in Game 1 could be a classic.
EDGE: Phillies
BULLPEN
Brad Lidge has been perfect as the closer for the Phillies but has a tendency to work into trouble. The Dodgers are using Jonathan Broxton to close as Takashi Saito struggles to recover from elbow problems. Expect to see plenty of Joe Beimel matching up with the big lefties in Philly’s lineup .
EDGE: Even
BENCH
Phillies have Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins – all quality hitters. Dodgers Jeff Kent, Juan Pierre and, if he’s used in this series, Nomar Garciaparra are not what they once were.
EDGE: Phillies
MANAGER
Charlie Manuel vs. Joe Torre
You can’t argue with Torre’s resume – unless you’re Hank Steinbrenner.
EDGE: Dodgers
