Why, Joe?

Why, Joe? Why is Matt Kemp playing in the NLCS? What, besides a better arm, does he bring to the table that Juan Pierre doesn’t? Power? What power? Matt Kemp has hit 2 lousy home runs in the last 7 weeks. His awful straight up and down swing won’t allow him to generate any power. He can't hit a breaking ball. He can't even recognize a breaking ball. The young man is confused. With runners in scoring position and no outs he can’t even put the ball in play. He’s an adventure in center field. Juan Pierre is a seasoned veteran with post season experience. He has speed and he puts the ball in play. Why is Matt Kemp playing over Juan Pierre?

Why, Joe? Why did you allow the visibly shaken, scared Chad Billingsley to allow 5 straight hits with 2 outs in the 2nd, then a walk to Utley and leave him in the game? Why do you give a kid the pooprtunity to allow 8 runs? It's the Playoffs? You have a fresh Clayton Kershaw. Billingsley was clearly having the worst outing of his career. Why did he allow him to do so?

Why, Joe? Why do you keep switching around the batting order and screwing with Andre Ethier? The Dodgers won the division with Ethier batting in front of Manny. Why do you keep screwing with guys’ heads? Why can’t you just let them hit in the same order for awhile? Ethier hitting behind Manny is an average hitter. Ethier hitting in front of Manny is an extremely dangerous hitter. Why do you keep doing that?

Why, Joe? Why do you let young pitcher, James MacDonald have his first big league at bat down 3 runs in Game 2 of the NLCS with only one out and a runner on in the 5th inning? Congratulations to James. He did a great job. But down a game in the NLCS, you gotta go for the wins. Why didn't you pinch hit for him, Joe?

Why, Joe? Why do you allow Brett Meyers to throw behind Manny Ramirez in the 1st inning and not have your pitcher restore order? Instead of drilling someone, Billingsley was as gentle as a lamb. Then he has a chance to send a message to Meyers himself and what does he do? He soft tosses him and the dude gets three hits against him. It's that heart thing we talked about all season. Where's the pride, Joe? Why did you let them get away with that?

Well, faithful readers, it’s been a long season. Thankfully, much longer than expected, It’s not unheard of that a team can come back from 2 games to zip and win a best of 7 series, but not this team, I fear. It seems I was wrong again. Before the NLDS I said the Dodgers didn’t belong on the same field with the Cubs. But it seems it’s the Phillies with whom they don’t belong on the same field. The Phils are simply a better team. Better starting pitching, a deeper bullpen, and much better hitting and defense. Outside of the great Manny, the Dodgers, in that shoe box of a ballpark, can suddenly only generate warning track power. Yes, I’m afraid the series is done. In fact, I’m thinking sweep. Let’s face it, when the bottom of the Phillies order, including their weak-hitting starting pitcher, is beating you to submission, you’re pretty much sending a signal you’re gonna get broomed. I think Sunday night, Utley, Howard and Burrell are going to get back into action against Kuroda who’s due for a bad outing and the Dodgers last whimper of protest will have been Manny’s homer in the 5th today at the band box.

As always, my dear readers, I hope I’m wrong. And, as always, I don’t think I will be. Perhaps the Dodgers just play better on TBS. We can spend the offseason blaming the MLB TV contracts.