AccuScore
| Game 4 Key to NLCS |
The Dodgers climbed back into the series with a stellar all-around effort in Game 3. As the saying goes however, momentum is the next day's starting pitcher and Derek Lowe and Joe Blanton will be the key players in a pivotal Game 4.
 The Dodgers staved off an 0-3 series deficit with a stellar all-around effort in Game 3. Game 4 takes on even more importance as there are fewer and fewer games left in the series. AccuScore currently projects the Phillies to win the series 57 percent of the time. Derek Lowe will start Game 4 on three days rest while the Phillies will go with right-hander Joe Blanton.
Even though the Dodgers are favored in three of the remaining four games, they are still underdogs to win the series because Philadelphia leads two games to one. Game 4 on Monday is pivotal. If Lowe can earn a win the simulation numbers shift completely, and L.A. becomes the 57 percent favorite to win the series. The home team has won all 11 meetings between these clubs thus far in 2008. Lowe will look to keep that trend going against Blanton. The sinkerball specialist should give the Dodgers the edge even though Blanton pitched well in his one start in playoffs. Interestingly, Chad Billingsley is heavily favored in Game 5 against Philly ace Cole Hamels despite a very poor outing earlier in the series. Hiroki Kuroda’s solid Game 3 outing also gives him the edge against Brett Myers if the series were to shift back to Philadelphia. |
