Sabathia, Manny Ramirez in 2008 NL Post Season
Dodgers Slugger vs.Cubs Pitching, Brewers’ CC vs. Phillies Bats
Sep 29, 2008 Grace Lichtenstein
When the Milwaukee Brewers face Philadelphia at Citizen Bank Park for the 2008 National League division series, they won’t have left-handed ace CC Sabathia available to stop the Phillies’ surging major league home run champion and MVP candidate Ryan Howard until at least the second game. But then again, no one thought at the start of the season that the Brewers would be in the playoffs at all.
The entire National League 2008 post-season is a tale of smart mid-season acquisitions. The Dodgers won the weak National League West thanks to Manny Ramirez, cast off by the Boston Red Sox. After Joining Los Angeles, Ramirez hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 53 games.
In the Central Division, Milwaukee rode rubber-armed rental lefty C.C. Sabathia, a free agent at the end of the season. to the wild card spot. Milwaukee got a chance to dispatch the Philadelphia Phillies, but that will be tough. The former Indian Sabathia, had to pitch a complete game Sunday in order for the Brewers to make it to the postseason. He has been their savior, with a record of 11-2, an ERA of 1.65 and three winning games each on three-day’s rest.
Two Canadians in Playoffs for Cubs
Among the intriguing matchups in the postseason, the marquee games should be Lou Piniella and the great Cubs pitching staff, headed by midseason acquisition Rich Harden, Two Canadians, Harden and Cy Young candidate Ryan Dempster, along with hulking Carlos Zambrano face the rejuvenated Dodgers led by Yankee castoff manager Joe Torre and Ramirez.
Phillies fans, meanwhile, hope their stopper, lefty Cole Hamels, will quiet the Brewer bats in the first game Wednesday, especially those of right-handed hitting left fielder Ryan Braun (37 home runs, 106 RBIs) left-handed first baseman Prince Fielder (34 home runs, 102 RBIs) and often-overlooked shortstop JJ Hardy.
The Brewers will be especially handicapped because their other ace, Ben Sheets, with an elbow injury, apparently is finished for the year. Meanwhile, the Phillies have a powerful lineup awaiting the Brew crew: last year’s MVP Jimmy Rollins (47 stolen bases), left fielder Pat Burrell (33 home runs), second baseman Chase Utley (33 home runs, 104 RBIs), and reliable switch hitting center fielder Shane Victorino (.293 batting average.)
Angels vs. Dodgers in World Series?
Looking ahead, an entertaining World Series would be the Boston Red Sox against Torre, Manny and the Dodgers, who also feature former Sox pitcher Derek Lowe and infielder Nomar Garciaparra. But the Red Sox have to figure out how to beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, strengthened by another midseason acquisition, power hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Halos dominated Boston in regular season play, 8-1. They have five starters with at least 10 wins (including the other Santana - Ervin) and the league’s dominant closer, Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez.
If the Angels do as well in the playoffs as they did in the regular season, maybe it is an all LA World Series. Yawn.
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