Phillies vanquish Dodgers, earn repeat trip to World Series

October 22, 9:14 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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The Phillies celebrate their NLCS victory

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

In the end, the Phillies got it done the same way they have all season – good (enough) starting pitching, an (effective) patchwork bullpen, and big time power in their lineup. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 8-6 Wednesday night to earn a second straight trip to the World Series. A solid pitching performance by 2008 World Series hero Cole Hamels and home runs from Jayson Werth (2), Pedro Feliz, and Shane Victorino sealed the win for the Phillies.

The Phillies certainly have all the tools necessary for a repeat championship. Their playoff rotation of Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, and Joe Blanton is effective and has the potential to dominate any given ballgame. Scott Eyre and Chad Durbin have been surprisingly good out of the bullpen, and it appears as if closer Brad Lidge has shaken off his regular season troubles and reverted back to his perfect 2008 form.

But what makes the Phillies special is their lineup – top to bottom, it’s difficult to find a better one in the game. It features two former MVPs (Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins) and a guy who’s finished in the top-10 in the voting twice (Chase Utley). Then, there’s Jayson Werth, who’s had a breakout year in 2009 with 36 homers, and is firing on all cylinders this postseason with 5 long balls. Shane Victorino is the catalyst at the top of the order, and catcher Carlos Ruiz is making a name for himself as a clutch playoff performer and a tough out at the bottom of the lineup.

With the NLCS wrapped up, all eyes turn to the ALCS Game 5 tonight. The Yankees have a 3-1 series lead on the Angels and will look to put them away tonight and join the Phillies in the World Series. If they’re able to, the stage could be set for one of the most explosive offensive World Series’ in history.
 

Examiner's 2009 MLB Postseason Coverage