"Philadelphia Phillies, here they come. The National League's most dangerous and determined team, here they are. Bryce Harper, good heavens. Kyle Schwarber, dear Lord. That deep rotation. That fiery closer. That nutty crowd! And, oh, that damn history."
"Barely two weeks ago, the Dodgers hosted the Phillies with a chance to sweep them and steal a first-round bye. They were, instead, battered like an old broom, the bullpen blowing two games and the Phillies eventually finishing with the National League's second-best record and that first-round vacation."
"The Dodgers were penalized by having to play these two games against the Reds. And as a reward for their sweeping success, they have been sentenced to travel to Philadelphia for a best-of-five division series beginning Saturday at Citizens Bank Park."
The Dodgers swept the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 to win the wild-card series and advance. The Dodgers now travel to Philadelphia to face the rested, potent Phillies, who hold home-field advantage. The Phillies feature stars like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, a deep rotation, a strong closer, an intense home crowd, and significant postseason momentum. Los Angeles lost multiple regular-season games to Philadelphia and suffered bullpen lapses during recent meetings. The Dodgers must overcome Philadelphia's advantages in a best-of-five series to remain on a path toward repeating as World Series champions.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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