Andre Ethier - Gary A. Vasquez - US Presswire

Great series this weekend between the Dodgers and Phillies.  Only fitting too that they would split the series.  Those two teams are truly the best teams in the National League (both in pitching and offense) and it was obvious in watching them.  They went back and forth, scrapped runs, held pitching, blew each others pitching, and ended in a split.  I do believe the Dodgers will have to beat the Phillies to get to the World Series this year.  They couldn’t do it last year, so maybe this next year.

They will have to figure out a way to beat Cole Hamels though.  He truly has their number.  He pitched really well on Friday.  I was glad to see Ethier the hero two nights in a row.  The team just keeps fighting and stays in the game.  Juan Pierre continues to rock. 

They directly asked Joe Torre on ESPN last night if he has thought ahead of what to do with Juan Pierre once Manny comes back.  He danced around the question nicely saying that Juan understand the situation of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier up and coming and with Manny being the high paid star.  What he didn’t directly say is that “Juan Pierre understands that he will go back to the bench once Manny comes back.”  The TV analysts really thought they should trade Pierre now that his value is up. 

As much as I want Juan to play, that seems crazy to trade him now.  Who knows what will happen to Manny once he comes back.  He could get injured, or so could the others, and then no one else has the depth and background like Pierre.  I do think Juan understands the situation and has finally come to peace with it for now.  After playing so well, and then having to sit, maybe it will be different, but at least in word he seems that way.

I say don’t mess with what isn’t broken.  The Dodgers are great right now, with and without Manny, keep it that way.

Found a great new blog this last week.  It’s by a guy who actually works at Dodger stadium selling and preparing Dodger Dogs.  He’s got funny stuff.  http://tonyvarela.vox.com/ .

Also wanted to pass on a good article  (Click Here) on Fox Sports on how the Dodgers clubhouse is a lot friendlier this year.  I do think winning always smooths out a clubhouse, but there does seem to be a good mix of veterans and young guys this year.

What do you think?  Phillies and Dodgers in the National League Championship series again this year?

This entry was posted on Monday, June 8th, 2009 at 4:17 pm and is filed under 2009 Games. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.