Up 1-0, Underdog Phillies Turn To Pedro

NFL News - October 16th, 2009 - Written by John

Pedro Martinez will attempt to re-hone his postseason magic tonight and will be on the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Two of the NLCS.

Not since 2004 has Martinez pitched in the playoffs, but he has been known as one of October's best hurlers, with dazzling performances in the 90s and early 00s with the Boston Red Sox. He is 6-2 all-time in the playoffs with a 3.40 ERA. He was supposed to pitch in the third game of the NLDS against Colorado, but stiff winds and cool weather forced manager Charlie Manuel to pass him up for J.A. Happ.

“I think he’s been throwing in the bullpen, I think he knows how to pitch,” Manuel told reporters. “I think that he’s definitely - you’re asking - what we’re asking him to do is we’re asking him to give us anywhere from 75 to 95 pitches.”

He hasn't thrown since late September, but went 5-1 with the Philadelphia Phillies since joining the team in August. Before that it seemed like ages since Martinez had a significant impact in a playoff race. The last time he had been seen in the playoffs was in '04, when he pitched Game Three of the Red Sox's World Series win over the St. Louis Cardinals. He will face a Dodgers team that gave him his first start in 1992, and don't think he doesn't still remember.

“It’s going to be special, especially bringing back memories about my start here,” Martinez said. “I was born in this place, and I hope this is not the last one that I pitch here, but if it is, it would be a great joy to actually do it in the same place I started.”

According to BetUS, Philadelphia is actually the underdog, despite winning Game One. They are receiving 1 1/2 runs from the Dodgers, who are already treading in familiar waters.

Last year, Los Angeles fell behind 0-1 in the NLCS against the Phillies and went on to lose the series, 4-1.

They send out Vicente Padilla in hopes of breaking that trend. The righty has been a revelation ever since signing with the Dodgers in early September. He was deactivated by the Texas Rangers for troubles off the field with the team, but has thrived in L.A. He is 5-0 in his past five starts and was the winning pitcher when the Dodgers closed out the opening round series against the Cardinals. In that game he went seven scoreless innings, only allowing one hit to the duo of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday.

He will need another great performance to slow down the Phillies high-scoring offense that led the NL this year. They were able to crank out two key home runs Thursday night to pace an 8-6 win, including a hammershot by Carlos Ruiz that gave them the lead they never relinquished. He is 10-for-17 all-time against Los Angeles with eight RBI.

“I think there’s always probably one guy on each team that gives certain teams hell to pay,” Dodgers' manager Torre said. “And when it’s the eighth-place hitter, it frustrates you.”

Philadelphia is also riding the momentum of reborn closer Brad Lidge, who has saved three games for his team in the playoffs, after blowing a MLB-leading 11 during the regular season. The Dodgers stranded 10 base runners, including one against Lidge, and could never break through against a struggling bullpen.

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