The Phillies jumped on the Dodgers in the 1st inning as Jayson Werth pounded a three run homer off of Vicente Padilla and they never looked back in this game. Werth was 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored, 2 homers and 4 RBIs in this game as he led the way for the Phillies on offense. Shane Victorino was also electric in this game as he was 2 for 4 with 1 run scored, a double, homer and 3 RBIs. Pedro Feliz was 1 for 4 with a solo homer and Jimmy Rollins was 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored as they helped out on offense. Cole Hamels didn’t last long enough to get the win and that’s because he pitched poorly once again working the first 4 1/3 innings in which he allowed 5 hits and 3 earned runs. Chad Durbin picked up the win for the Phillies in this game as he worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge slammed the door working the last two innings of this game. The Phillies won this series 4 games to 1 against the Dodgers as they now advance to the World Series to play either the Yankees or the Angels.

This should be a good matchup between righty Vicente Padilla and lefty Cole Hamels. Padilla has been outstanding during the post season for the Phillies as he has started 2 games in which he is 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. If he is on like he was in Game #2 in this series the Phillies might be in some trouble. Cole Hamels has just not looked good in the post season so far for the Phillies. He has started 2 games in the post season and he is 1-1 with a 6.97 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He must work deep into this game for the Phillies who have used the bullpen quite a lot in this series. It’s do or die time for the Dodgers and it will be interesting to see how well they respond.

The Phillies pitching staff kept the team right where they wanted it to give the them a chance to win this game and that they did. Jimmy Rollins was the star of the game for the Phillies as he drove in Eric Bruntlett and Carlos Ruiz with a double off of Dodgers’ closer Jonathan Broxton. Rollins finished the game 2 for 5 with 1 run scored, 1 double and 2 RBIs. Ryan Howard sent a message early in this game with a 2-run homer. Starting pitcher Joe Blanton struggled through the first 6 innings of this game in which he allowed 6 hits and four runs (3 earned). Credit Chan Ho Park, Ryan Madson and Scott Eyre who worked 2 1/3 shutout innings to set up closer Brad Lidge. Lidge came in and he pitched to two batters whiffing them both and picking up the win. The Phillies are now up 3-1 in this series.

The Dodgers and Phillies could have a really high scoring game tonight in Philly. Lefty Randy Wolf (Dodgers) will be opposing righty Joe Blanton (Phillies) tonight. Wolf has started 1 game this post season and he is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP. He started 2 games against his ex-team this season and he was 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Wolf does have a trio of hitters on the Phillies that give him big problems so he will have to be careful with them. They are Pedro Feliz (5 for 17, 3 homers, 4 RBIs), Carlos Ruiz (4 for 6, 2 doubles, HR, 3 RBIs) and Shane Victorino (3 for 8, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs). The scary thing about that trio is that it doesn’t include the really bit bats on the Phillies. Joe Blanton will be making his first start of this post season tonight. He has worked in 2 games out of the bullpen so far in the playoffs and he is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Blanton started 1 game against the Dodgers this season and he was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Blanton better be careful tonight as a few of the Dodgers’ hitters have raked against him in their careers. Manny Ramirez is 14 for 25 (.560 avg) with 1 homer and 8 RBIs against Blanton. Andre Ethier also has mashed Blanton in the past as he is 5 for 11 (.455 avg) with 2 solo homers. Ronnie Belliard (3 for 8, 2B, RBI) and James Loney (5 for 8, 2 RBIs) also hit well against Blanton.

The Phillies jumped the Dodgers for six runs in the first two innings and that was more than enough to finish off the Dodgers with Cliff Lee on the mound. Lee only allowed 3 hits in 8 scoreless innings while whiffing 10 batters to earn his 2nd win in this post season. Lee was also 1 for 3 with a run scored as a batter. Chad Durbin pitched a scoreless, hitless 9th inning for the Phillies to end this game. Shane Victorino had a great game for the Phillies last night as he was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 1 homer, 3 RBIs and a stolen base. Jayson Werth was 1 for 4 with 1 run scored, a homer and 2 RBIs. Catcher Carlos Ruiz continues to stroke the ball well as he was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, a double and 1 RBI. Chase Utley (2 for 4, run scored) and Ryan Howard (1 for 4, 1 run, 3 RBIs) also helped out on the onslaught in this game by the Phillies. The Phillies are now up 2-1 in this series.