NLCS Game 4 – Over to Cash in as Phils Win Again

The Los Angeles Dodgers (99-69 SU, 79-88 RL, 74-80-13 O/U) 11-0 just as I predicted to take a solid 2-0 lead in their NLCS showdown. They now look to take total command when they square off against their NL rivals tonight at Citizens Bank Park at 8 PM ET tonight.

The Phillies rocked Dodgers’ starter Hiroki Kuroda for a whopping six runs on six hits in just 1.1 innings, before smacking around the rest of L.A.’s staff  on a day they outscored the Philly counterparts, the Philadelphia Eagles en route to their emphatic +120 Run Line cover and -190 money line victory.

Staff ace Cliff Lee tossed eight shutout innings while allowing just three hits in a powerful performance while Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino each drove in three runs and Jayson Werth added a two-run jack in the victory.

Manny Ramirez went 2-for-3 in a losing effort while Ronnie Belliard recorded L.A.’s only other hit.

Tonight, the Phillies will hand the ball to veteran right-hander Joe Blanton (12-8, 4.07 ERA) while the Dodgers counter with staff ace lefty and former Phillie Randy Wolf (11-7, 3.30 ERA).

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends and MLB Odds, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert MLB Free Picks.

• Dodgers are 5-0 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Dodgers are 1-4 in their last 5 League Championship games.
• Dodgers are 1-5 in their last 6 road games.
• Dodgers are 4-0 in Wolf’s last 4 road starts.
• Dodgers are 6-1 in Wolf’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Phillies are 9-1 in their last 10 playoff home games.
• Phillies are 4-1 in their last 5 League Championship games.
• Phillies are 6-1 in Blanton’s last 7 starts with 7 or more days of rest.
• Phillies are 7-2 in Blanton’s last 9 home starts.
• Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia.
• Dodgers are 6-13 in the last 19 meetings.
• Dodgers are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings in Philadelphia.

MLB Odds

• Los Angeles Dodgers +1½ -190
• Randy Wolf –L Ev
• Philadelphia Phillies -1 ½ +160
• Joe Blanton –R -120
• Over -8½ -105
• Under  -8½ -115

The Starters: Randy Wolf has gone 0-1 over his last three starts with a 3.60 ERA while Joe Blanton has gone 2-1 over his last three starts with a 4.82 ERA.

Analysis: I really don’t like Phillies starter Joe Blanton very much at all and fully believe that Dodgers’ starter Randy Wolf is the better starting pitcher in this matchup.

Having said that, I am going on record right now to say that the Philadelphia Phillies are the pick to win again tonight as they feed off of Sunday night’s blowout and their absolutely crazed fans at a rockin’ Citizens Bank Park tonight.

While the Dodgers have gone a perfect 4-0 in Randy Wolf’s last four road starts and equally impressive 5-0 in their last five games against a right-handed starter - and should be able to score some runs off of Blanton who has allowed 12 earned runs over his last 15.1 innings – I just don’t think they will be able to overcome their dismal 2-8 in their last 10 meetings in Philadelphia and 1-5 mark in their last six road games.