I’m sinking into my couch getting ready to watch my favorite teams in two must win games. The DODGERS must win tonight to get back in the series, and the CHARGERS must win to get back on track and level their record.
I started doing these LIVE game blogs for the NLCS, and when I saw that Game 3 was on Sunday night, I knew my thumb would be getting a workout on the clicker. So, that’s what I’m going to do. Watch both games, and bring you the LIVE UPDATES.
Will it be easy? No. But I have a sixth sense when it comes to the “sticks” and I’m sure I won’t miss too much on either side. Plus, we’ve got DVR, just in case.
As always, leave your COMMENTS during and after the game, and I’ll get back to you. Tell me I’m wrong, tell me I’m right, but please keep it clean.
Dodger WarmUp
If Hiroki Kuroda can continue to pitch like he has recently; he’ll do just fine. The key for him, and all the Dodger pitchers, is to stay calm when the Phillies start hitting. Derek Lowe and Chad Billingsley blew up, and Kuroda can’t if we’re going to have a chance. We also need Rafael Furcal to show up at the plate. Even if it’s forcing Jamie Moyer to show a lot of pitches, Young Furc needs to be a pest. And even though we need Manny to be Manny, this series seems to be an opportunity for lesser-known bats to make noise (see: Brett Myers.)
Charger WarmUp
It all comes down to the defense. We’ll score about 24 points if all goes well (I think it will) but it won’t matter if we can’t stop anyone. That means we need pressure on the quarterback. If Matt Cassel doesn’t touch the ground, we’re going to be in trouble. Lean on that secondary, coaching staff. Run that cover 2. It’s impossible to stop a good offense if you can’t disrupt the passing game (see: Bronco game.) On offense, Norv needs to attack the outside with Vincent Jackson. L.T. hasn’t been as effective this year because defenses have been stacking the box. Get V-Jack involved, and the game will open up.
I hope you’re ready, because I sure am… It’s Time For Dodger Baseball/Charger Football!!!
14:44 1st Qtr
That’s what I’m talkin about V-Jack! Did I call that or what! 48 yard pass and catch, 1st down deep in Pats territory.
Top 1st
Kuroda gets two quick outs, and goes after Ryan Howard with some fastballs, the first heaters Howard has seen this series. We get a “homer” call at second when Utley tries to steal.
10:41 1st Qtr
A. Gates drops a TD at the pylon, and for the second week in a row, a great opening drive = 3 points.
Bot 1st
Young Furc singles to left, and my WarmUp looks really on point. Ethier follows with a single to right. And there it is!!! Furc sets the table, and Man Ram cleans it up with an RBI single to left, and takes second on the throw. These are meatballs from Moyer, but also some aggressive minded hitting.
6:34 1st / Bot 1st
While the Pats miss a FG wide left, Casey Blake knocks in another run. 3-0 Chargers, 2-0 Dodgers! I don’t think this could have started any better.
3:58 1st
After a big third down conversion, Rivers to Gates… We’re throwing the ball deep, I like it! Touchdown Chargers, Rivers to Floyd 49-yards for the 10-0 San Diego Lead. Mike and Leaky Pipes (both at the Bolts game) text me expletives concerning the Pats. They’re pretty pleased.
Bot 1st
Blake DeWitt ropes one into the right field corner, and just like that, it’s a lesser-known bat doing for the Dodgers. 5-0. Seriously, I wrote those WarmUps at like 4:30pm. Seriously.
Top 2nd
Howard leads off with a double. We can’t keep him down forever, and when Burrell hits is hard to left, my heart skips a beat. But we aren’t at Citizens “Cracker Box” Park any more, and that’s not a homer. But Feliz knocks in Howard, and its 5-1.
2:43 1st
Sproles gets a second chance at a punt return (defense looking good) and takes it back into Pats territory. But a pass to the back up tight end on third-and-two? We try a FG, which Kaeding bounces off the upright. And we looked so good on that drive… still 10-0 at the end of the 1st.
Bot 2nd
YOUNG FURC! I guess all he needed was some home cooking. He shows some power and goes deep on another meatball from Moyer, that last one he’ll throw. We chase the starter after 1 1/3 inning, and six runs off six hits. Cody Condrey comes in. 6-1
Start of 2nd Qtr
It’s obvious the Pats know the Chargers need to get pressure on Cassel, so they are running quick hitting routs. Of course, our hard hitting secondary steps up, and the Pats have to punt. 10-0
Bot 2nd
Condrey throws high and tight at Husstle Martin. That’s it. After throwing at Man Ram in Game 2, and hitting Husstle in the 1st, it’s time to retaliate. And I can’t believe I’m agreeing with Joe Buck this much. 6-1
8:33 2nd Qtr
Cooper runs a stunt and gets a sack. That pressure up the middle is exactly what I was talking about, essentially on 1st down. Pats kick a field goal, 10-3 S.D.
Top 3rd
Kuroda gets two quick outs, and throws at the Flyin’ Hawaiian. He has a point when he says, “don’t throw at my head” but the Phillies did throw behind Manny and at Husstle’s head, so tit for tat. When Kuroda gets him to ground out, however, some words are exchanged, and the benches clear. Manny looks like the most ready to fight, and I bet none of the Dodgers want him to. Of all people, Mariano Duncan and Davey Lopes get into a shouting match. Now, this is a series! 6-1 Dodgers
4:48 2nd
I really like that we’re throwing the ball around, especially to V-Jack and especially on the outside, but are we getting too pass happy? That’s two or three throws deep on 3rd and short, none of them successful. 10-3
3:03 2nd
The D is flying around, and it looks like we’ve done a great job scouting their rushing attack. Sproles has another nice return, and a personal foul face mask sets the Bolts up at the Pats 30 yd line at the 2 minute warning.
Top 4th
Kuroda! He’s doing a great job getting the aggressive Philly hitters to swing at his pitches, and strike three to Burrell is a perfect example. Here comes the top of the order again! 6-1
1:15 2nd
L.T. has a classic L.T. cut back to get it down to the five yard line, and Rivers finds V-Jack across the middle for the TOUCHDOWN! Rivers has not looked this comfortable all year. The Chargers have not looked this good in the first half all year. 17-3 Bolts!
Bot 4th
J.A. Happ has pitched well until a patient Manny and Husstle draw walks. We can’t get complacent here, a BIG win could mean a lot to this young ball club. Nomar (Bosco Brave) Garciaparra drives Man Ram in, 7-1 Boys in Blue
HALFTIME
No joke, are we watching the second half? Is this a time warp? This is not a Charger first half. Both teams have run 30 plays, but the Charger D is bending and not breaking, giving up 5 first downs (to SD’s 10) and only 87 yards (to SD’s 216, 179 thru the air.) In a game with no turnovers and minimal penalties (2 in the game) it’s going to come down to field possition, and with Sproles being Sproles, I like our chances in the 2nd half. 17-3 Chargers
Bot 5th
I can’t remember, but I think the Dodgers have had a base runner in every inning. Kemp singles, keeps up the pressure, and if Kuroda can get out of the sixth, we look good. Buck brings up Vin Scully, and I’m reminded how mad I am about watching a Dodger playoff game without Vin. He needs to be on TV calling this NLCS. I’m talking to you, FOX. Let him do an inning or two. Buck and McCarver won’t mind. Still 7-1
3rd Qtr
The Pats have officially abandoned the run. They pass their way down the field (with quick hitting routs) to inside the Charger 5. But two incomplete passes, a Jamal Williams stop, and a great coverage sack = GOAL LINE STAND! Still 17-3 S.D.
Top 6th
Victorino rolls one to DeWitt for the third out. That’s 6 innings pitched, 1 run, and only 2 hits given up by Kuroda. Talk about keeping composure. Lowe and Billingsley lost it when the Phillies started hitting, Kuroda kept his even when Philly came out of the dugout. 7-1
7:07 3rd
I take back what I said about maybe being too pass happy… V-JACK! He catches a big pass, and a big pass interference on another shot down the field = 1st and goal…. TOUCHDOWN SAN DIEGO Rivers finds Gates coming across the middle. 24-3 Bolts
6:57 3rd
On the Pats first play, pressure on Cassel leads to a horrible pass and Q.J. picks it off! First Down Chargers! Let’s run up the score on these bums! Kaeding FG, 27-3
Top 7th
Howard finally hits a slider to right, and runners are at the corners with no outs. Burrell pokes an RBI dying quail to center, and Kuroda is done for the night. Standing-O well deserved. Cory Wade comes in and battles against Feliz and Dobbs for outs 2 & 3. It stays 7-2 Blue
End 3rd Qtr
L.T. shows a BURST for a 27-yard run into Pats territory as the quarter runs out. Another Kaeding FG, 30-3 Bolts
Bot 7th
Durbin throws a breaking ball that hits Husstle in the back. Yeah, it’s a breaking ball, and those things happen, but like Vinny G says (who just stopped by after running in the LB Marathon today) “that’s just too much of a coincidence. You run the risk of making every hit batter an episode of drama when you play like the Phillies… that’s not baseball, it’s just silly.”
10:00 4th
Moss bobbles a pass and Jammer catches it… or does he? I’m having a horrible flashback to a Charger defender fumbling an inter….. you know what, let’s just move on. That happened during the game we will not speak of…. ever.
Top 8th
Wade shuts it down (2 scoreless inn) and the bullpen continues to be more than effective.
5:18 4th
Jocob Hester fumbles his first carry of the night. Sammy Morris runs past the back up D and takes it in for a garbage time touchdown. 30-10
4:00 4th
L.T. catches a swing pass and shows everyone that he still has some moves on a nice 29-yard run. Now, get that guy out of the game!
Top 9th
Big Jon Broxton comes in and shuts it down. We win game three, and Buck just quoted Torre, “One game can change the momentum of a post season series.” We’re right back in this. 7-2 Dodgers Win!
FINAL: 30-10 Chargers over Patriots
We held them off, but the difference was starting fast. The Chargers are 3-3, and lo and behold, we’re only a game back of the Broncos.
Celebrate California. We ROCKED it tonight!