For the first time since 2004-05, we will have a rematch in the National League Championship Series as the Los Angeles Dodgers will face the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies for the right to represent the National League in the 2009 World Series.
The National League Championship has had four rematches in history with the Dodgers being in two of those—this will be the second time against the Phillies.
NLCS Rematch History:
1977 Los Angeles Dodgers beat Philadelphia Phillies 3-1.
1978 Los Angeles Dodgers beat Philadelphia Phillies 3-1.
1991 Atlanta Braves beat Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3.
1992 Atlanta Braves beat Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3.
2004 St. Louis Cardinals beat Houston Astors 4-3.
2005 Houston Astors beat St. Louis Cardinals 4-2.
2008 Philadelphia Phillies beat Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1.
2009 Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers ?
The NL West has the overall better record against the NL East, 6-2.
History shows that every time a rematch—except for one has happened in the past—the defending National League Champions have won. Will history repeat itself or will the Los Angeles Dodgers change the trend?
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies will meet for the fifth time—the series record is tied at 2-2.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are 5-3 all time in the NLCS; the Phillies they are 4-3 all time. These two teams have a combined 24 World Series appearances (Dodgers 18 & Phillies six) and eight World Championships (Dodgers six & Phillies two).
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to create magic from 20 years ago when Kirk Gibson hit the home run heard around the World and a team that was meant for destiny as on the other side the Phillies are looking to repeat for the first time since the New York Yankees did it in the mid-90s and the first National League team to do since the 70s.
Coaching: Advantage Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers: Joe Torre, Don Mattingly, Rick Honeycutt, Bob Schaefer, Larry Bowa, Mariano Duncan, Ken Howell, Manny Mota, Jeff Pentland, Mike Borzello, Ron Flippo
Philadelphia Phillies: Charlie Manuel, Milt Thompson, Rich Dubee, Davey Lopez, Sam Perlozzo, Pete Mackanin, Mick Billmeyer
The Los Angeles Dodgers on paper have a stacked coaching staff but that is not what showed last year as they were beat last year by the Phillies coaching staff as they would win the series 4-1.
Joe Torre has been there and done that with the teams he has coached for and he the titles that he has show it. Charlie Manuel is a great coach and knows what to do with the game on the line.
The Los Angeles Dodgers staff is good and a much better staff with experience that will bring them a long way.
Offense: Advantage Philadelphia Phillies
Rafael Furcal/Jimmy Rollins: Rollins
Orlando Hudson/Chase Utley: Utley
Manny Ramirez/Raul Ibanez: Ramirez
Andre Ethier/Jayson Werth: Ethier
Matt Kemp/Shane Victorino: Kemp
James Loney/Ryan Howard: Howard
Casey Blake/Pedro Feliz: Blake
Russell Martin/Carlos Ruiz: Ruiz
When you look at the lineups they look pretty similar to last year with a couple names added to the mix in Hudson and Ibanez.
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