Dodgers Sweep with More Game 3s on Tap

When the Los Angeles Dodgers first met the St. Louis Cardinals in baseball's postseason, the Dodgers were considered the frontrunners for the 1985 National League title. Yet, these Cardinals had other plans. After six games of the NLCS, the Cardinals derailed the Dodgers. Since then, the Cards owned the Dodgers in the postseason - both times enabling a World Series berth.

The Cardinals ownage of the Dodgers ended Saturday night at Busch Stadium. The Boys in Blue swept their way into the NLCS, a return voyage for the second year in a row. This marks the second straight sweep of the NLDS by the Dodgers, last year's victim being the Chicago Cubs.

What went right for the Dodgers? Compared to last year, this club simply gelled together. Their late season slip has almost been forgotten. The right bats came alive when they needed to and a new leader emerged aside from Manny Ramirez. If you haven't heard the name Andre Ethier - you will hear it more now. In the tradition of Koufax, Garvey, Scioscia, Piazza and Karros - Ethier is a farm system-produced Dodger forged to become a legend in Chavez Ravine. He bleeds Dodger Blue - as Tommy Lasorda would say.

Without asking the question, mistakes killed the Cardinals. Matt Holiday's miscue late in Game 2 was just the pivot to what came in Game 3. The Cardinals simply did not look as strong as they have all season long. Between fielding flaws and quiet bats, the Cards' biggest weakness was regarding decisions made on pitching rotations and relievers. After Wainwright's strong start in Game 2, Game 3 was simply pathetic on the mound. I'll contend that starting Joel Pineiro was not the smartest idea for Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan. John Smoltz was a better choice to start Game 2 to move Wainwright into Game 3.

The Dodgers now await the winner of the Philadelphia Phillies-Colorado Rockies NLDS set Game 3 at Coors Field this evening.

Speaking of which, I'm puzzled as to why Pedro Martinez had to be swapped for J.A. Happ because of the date difference. Does Pedro have an expiration date? Sure, Happ's younger, but what does that have to do with who starts Game 3 whether it was postponed or not? I'd still stick with Pedro unless he says he can't go on with the delay. If that is the case, I'll accept the pitching change by the Phils. I doubt it was that case at all.

Again with pitching, with a 0-2 deficit in the ALDS, I'm still questioning whether Clay Buchholz should be starting for the Boston Red Sox against Scott Kazmir and the Los Angeles Angels. Sure, Kazmir has a 3.05 ERA against the Sox, but Buchholz has not been on during the past several weeks. This should be interesting to watch.

Lastly, the Minnesota Twins seem to think that Carl Pavano would match up well with Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees tonight inside the Metrodome. However, the Yanks swept the Twins in the regular season inside the building and it will depend on my how many Yankee fans would be amongst the (almost) sold out crowd. Obviously, they'll be the ones not waving Homer Hankies.

BTW, I have a bone to pick with the Twins Ticket Office...

Not to nitpick, but the umpiring has been less than stellar this postseason (putting it mildly, yes - let's just say it downright stinks!). Guys, can we determine exact strike zones and whether a ball is actually fair or foul going forward, please?