Well since the last round of predictions went so well I figured another set of mindless picks is definitely in order. First up we have the Phillies vs. Dodgers for the NL Pennant. Full disclosure...I hate the Dodgers...Ok strongly dislike, but if there was a team that would deserve the H word it would be this one. I now go forth without bias. Those LA bastards are hot right now. I compare it to the burned roof of your mouth after delivered pizza munching hot. It can either stay with you all week or you won't notice it the day afer tomorrow. Of course the offense starts with Manny Ramirez, but for a 7 game series some others need to contribute. I will give Russell Martin the guy I least like to see at the plate not named Manny award. If he gets AB's with runners in scoring position it's all bad for Philly. The only thing I have to say about Rafeal Furcal is someone be ready drive him home from any celebration involving alcohol. A few more well placed clutch hits like James Loney's Grand Salami against Chicago and we'll be choking on Kirk Gibson replays the final week of October. The real question is will the Phils be able to hit off Dodger starting pitching? If they keep turning in their 6+ inning solid efforts it will be tough for Philly to muster any scoring. Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda are a formidable threesome this October. Will Greg Maddux get another shot at starting in October? On the flipside you have the Philadelphia Philles. These aren't the colorful group of Dykstra, Kruk, Daulton and the gang from 1993(too bad for us), but they aren't too shabby neither. Ryan Howard looks to take home the MVP award this year, but thankfully the voting was done before his 2 for 11(5 k's) in the Divisional Round. Howard and Chase Utley(2 for 15-4 K's) will have to step up for them to beat LA period. Contributions from Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth and Pat Burrell are strongly encouraged, but those two can't pull another disappearing act. Toeing the slab will be Cole Hamels(dirty change-up), Brett Myers(wife beater), Jamie Moyer(crafty veteran) and Joe Blanton(Stud) whom they acquired when Billy Beane decided that everything must go in Oakland. Hamels and Myers will be tough on LA, but Moyer and Blanton will possibly revert back to their 4-inning masterpieces in big games. Ryan Madson, JC Romero and Brad Lidge are the only arms I want to see from the bullpen. Anyone else has me throwing crap at the screen like a zoo animal. If Charlie Manuel has any sense for his lower part of the line-up he will start Greg Dobbs over Pedro Feliz @ 3B every chance he gets. I watched Feliz swing at slop for too long in a Giants uniform to expect anything from him in October. My baseless prediction is Philly in 6.
