ROMPER STOMPER ROOM

When the Dodgers tied the NLCS at one, many thought they'd get on roll, and with Philly-Killer Hiroki Kuroda on the mound, a 2-1 series lead was all but assured for Joe Torre's troupe. Well, that couldn't have been further off the mark as the Phillies chased the Japanese import from Game Three before the second inning was even over. The final score would end up being 11-0, with two more yet to be played at Citizen's Bank Park. Now it's the Phillies who have the chance to run away with the series, never having to send it back to LA.

How did this happen? Like the Yankees' Game One victory over the Angels it's just simple math. In this case, lockdown pitching + the NL's most potent offensive working in tandem. They get any more performances like that from both areas of the team, and it'll be a foregone conclusion as to what will happen here.

While this series is far from over, you have to wonder how this crushing loss and overall pitching failure will affect the Dodgers, a team many picked to win (myself included) because of their dominance over the Cardinals. Joe Torre has handled losses like this well in the past and came out on top, but this team is much younger and emotional. If he could right the ship here, his praises will be sung even louder than before.

Interestingly enough, I also picked the Rockies to squeak by the Phillies. But why choose against the former wolrd champs with an offensive that was better than last years? It's that bullpen, which has overachieved a bit, and the way Charlie Manuel has handled it that made this team questionable. The starting rotation and lineup have, thus far, made this a mute point, though. Can they keep it up? Tonight's Game Four will be sure to let us know.