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| Brad Lidge shut the door on the Dodgers with a perfect ninth inning in Game 1 of the NLCS. He needed 13 pitches to get three outs, including one strikeout. |
Our View: Lidge has not taken a loss all season or in the playoffs. He was the NL Comeback Player of the Year as he nailed down 41 saves with a 1.95 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 69.1 innings, with 92 strikeouts.
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| Derek Lowe was stellar through five innings but the wheels came off in the sixth when he allowed two home runs. The three earned runs he surrendered were enough to lose the game on Thursday. |
Our View: Lowe was been phenomenal in his previous 11 starts and for most of his playoff career. His sinker was working tonight, but two mistakes was all it took for him to take home a loss.
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| Pat Burrell's sixth inning solo home run was the difference in the Phillies' 3-2 win over the Dodgers. The Phillies now lead the NLCS 1-0. |
Our View: Burrell is battling a somewhat balky back but was 2-for-4 on Thursday. He hit 33 home runs in the regular season.
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| Cole Hamels was phenomenal for his second straight Game 1 start on Thursday. He earned the win against the Dodgers while pitching seven innings, striking out eight and scattering eight base runners. He surrendered two earned runs in the game. |
Our View: Hamels lived up to his billing as the best pitcher in the NLCS. He could go again in Game 4 but will more likely throw Game 4.
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| Chase Utley hit a two-run sixth inning home run to propel the Phillies to a 3-2 win in Game 1 of the NLCS. |
Our View: Utley cooled off in the second half after carrying the Phillies through the first three months of the season. His Homer was followed by a Pat Burrell home run which was the difference in the game.
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| MLB.com reports that Grant Balfour may get the opportunity to close games in the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox. Regular closer Troy Percival is not on the roster. |
Our View: The animated reliever is one of the central figures in this rivalry. In 51 regular season appearances, he had a 6-2 record with a 1.54 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 58.1 innings. Dan Wheeler would seem to be the more likely option to close.
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| MLB.com reports that Joakim Soria will not be moved into the rotation next season. The Royals' best player appeared in 63 games in 2008 and recorded 42 saves while posting a 1.60 ERA. "One of the most important qualities of a successful closer is that he creates a perception in the opponents' dugout that the game is over," Moore said. "And I think Joakim is beginning to develop that kind of aura about him." |
Our View: Soria should remain a dominant fantasy closer for years to come. He was absolutely lights out for most of the season.
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| MLB.com reports that outfielder Eric Hinske will not likely be on the ALCS roster. |
Our View: Hinske is not dealing with an injury, but the team would rather carry an extra pitcher rather than Hinske. Hinske was a good hitter when needed, but with most of the Rays' offense in complete health, he will not be relied on in the series.
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| Updating an earlier report, Mike Timlin has made Boston's ALCS roster, according to the Providence Journal. |
Our View: He made the cut because Mike Lowell was not eligible for the ALCS roster after being pulled from the ALDS roster due to injury. The 18-year veteran is likely thrilled to make the cut, but shouldn't see much action against the Rays while on the bottom of the bullpen depth chart.
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| Troy Percival has been left off the Rays' ALCS roster, according to the St. Petersburg Times. |
Our View: He did not report any issues during his throwing sessions this week, and felt his back was healthy enough to pitch in the next round against Boston, but the Rays ultimately decided to name Edwin Jackson to the roster to serve as a potential fifth starter.
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| The St. Petersburg Times indicates the Rays' have named pitcher Edwin Jackson to the ALCS roster, leaving out Eric Hinske. Hinske said, "They want to carry an extra pitcher and I'm the odd man out. That's how it is. It's something that I can't control. I'll be ready if somebody gets hurt. It's not about me, it's about the team winning ballgames. No reaction."
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Our View: Jackson would likely serve as a fifth starter against Boston. He won 14 games in the regular season, with a 4.42 ERA and 1.51 WHIP.
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| Ambiorix Burgos will be jailed for three months ahead of trial for a hit-and-run accident that killed two women, according to the AP. A Dominican judge ordered him to remain behind bars Wednesday night out of concerns for his safety. The 24-year-old reliever said, "I am going to come out of this fine because my conscience is clear, and I’m not worried this will affect my career because I haven’t done anything."
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Our View: Burgos spent the past season on the DL following elbow ligament replacement. He pitched in the minors last month while on a rehab assignment. He could be facing six months to two years in prison.
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| The Twins exercised Mike Redmond's option for the 2009 season, according to the AP. |
Our View: The 37-year-old catcher hit .287 over 129 at-bats in 2007, and the club felt he will be a worthy backup for Joe Mauer next season.
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| Hong-Chih Kuo has made the Dodgers' NLCS roster, according to the LA Times. |
Our View: Kuo was left off the NLDS roster against Chicago while dealing with a sore elbow, but manager Joe Torre decided he was fit for duty in the NLDS against Philadelphia. Kuo enjoyed a strong regular season with the Dodgers, as he held a 2.14 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 80 innings.
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| As expected, Takashi Saito has been left off the Dodgers' NLCS roster, according to the AP. |
Our View: Jonathan Broxton will be the undisputed closer for Los Angeles during the best-of-seven series against Philadelphia. Saito, who missed more than two months with an elbow injury, had a blown save and a loss in two of his first three outings and was hit hard in his only appearance of the NLDS against Chicago. When called in to finish up Game 2, with the Dodgers holding a nine-run lead, Saito surrendered a pair of doubles sandwiched around a single to the only three batters he faced, which led to manager Joe Torre's decision to leave him off the roster for the next round.
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| John Smoltz's jersey worn while recording his 3,000th career strikeout is being sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
Our View: The jersey will be part of a "Today's Game" exhibit. The spikes used by Derek Jeter when he set the record for most hits at Yankee Stadium while be among other items on display as well.
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| Kevin Cameron has been outrighted to Triple-A Portland, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Right-handed pitcher Tim Stauffer and infielder Craig Stansberry were outrighted to Portland as well. |
Our View: All three were outrighted after the 29 other MLB team felt they were unworthy of a $20,000 waiver claim. The Padres have trimmed their roster to 32.
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| Mike Timlin will find out today if he will be on Boston's roster for the ALCS against Tampa Bay, according to the Boston Globe.
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Our View: The 18-year veteran was left off the ALDS roster against the Angels. He held a poor 5.66 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 49.1 innings of relief in the regular season.
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| Dave Borkowski has been outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: He has the right to refuse the assigment and become a free agent. The 31-year-old held a poor 7.50 ERA and 1.89 WHIP over 36 innings of relief this season.
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