The Los Angeles Dodgers have 12 free agents heading into this winter. They likely have a interest in bringing back Vicente Padilla, Randy Wolf and Ronnie Belliard. The other nine free agents (Brad Ausmus, Doug Mietkiewicz, Orlando Hudson, Mark Loretta, Jim Thome, Jon Garland, Jason Schmidt, Guillermo Mota and Will Ohman) will all be looking for new jobs this winter. If the Dodgers fail to re-sign Vicente Padilla and Randy Wolf they will need two new starting pitchers. Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden, Tim Hudson (if the Braves let him go), John Lackey, Braden Looper (if the Brewers let him go), Jason Marquis, Carl Pavano, Joel Pineiro, Erik Bedard, Andy Pettitte, Jarrod Washburn and Doug Davis will all likely be high on the Dodgers’ shopping list. If Ronnie Belliard leaves the Dodgers will likely go after quality players like Akinori Iwamura (if the Rays let him go), Adam Kennedy, Felipe Lopez, Placido Polanco, Freddy Sanchez (if the Giants let him go) or Marco Scutaro to replace him as the starting 2B in 2010. The Dodgers will need a new back up catcher for the 2010 season and they will likely look at guys like Josh Bard, Henry Blanco, Jason LaRue, Jose Molina and Mike Redmond. The Dodgers need to get Russell Martin more rest so he doesn’t burn out. A utility infielder would also be on the Dodgers’ shopping list with Jamey Carroll, Alex Cora, Jerry Hairston, John McDonald and Geoff Blum all getting consideration. The Dodgers could also likely use one more outfielder for the bench. Reed Johnson, Gabe Kapler, Fernando Tatis, Rocco Baldelli, Mark Kotsay, Brian Giles and Austin Kearns could all interest the Dodgers. The Dodgers have been thumped two years in a row by the Phillies so they can’t stand pat to reach their goal which is to win the World Series.

The Phillies jumped the Dodgers right from the get go in the game last night and they never could recover. Vicente Padilla got drilled for 6 earned runs in only 3 innings earning the loss in this game. He was not the only pitcher who had a rough time for the Dodgers in this game as Clayton Kershaw, Hong-Chih Kuo and Ronald Belisario worked the final 4 innings in which they allowed 4 earned runs. Almost the whole offense for the Dodgers was built around solo homers by Andre Ethier, James Loney and Orlando Hudson. The Dodgers season ends with a thud as they lost this series 4 games to 1 to the Phillies.

This should be a good matchup between righty Vicente Padilla and lefty Cole Hamels. Padilla has been outstanding during the post season for the Phillies as he has started 2 games in which he is 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. If he is on like he was in Game #2 in this series the Phillies might be in some trouble. Cole Hamels has just not looked good in the post season so far for the Phillies. He has started 2 games in the post season and he is 1-1 with a 6.97 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He must work deep into this game for the Phillies who have used the bullpen quite a lot in this series. It’s do or die time for the Dodgers and it will be interesting to see how well they respond.

The Dodgers had this game in the bag until the 9th inning when Jonathan Broxton blew up and lost the game. With 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning Jimmy Rollins whacked a double that knocked in Eric Bruntlett and Carlos Ruiz to seal this win for the Phillies. Randy Wolf battled hard in this game working the first 5 1/3 innings allowing 4 hits and 3 earned runs. Ronald Belisario, Hong-Chih Kuo and George Sherrill worked 2 1/3 shutout innings giving a lead to closer Jonathan Broxton. Broxton was the losing pitcher as he worked 1 inning and allowed 1 hit, 1 walk and he hit a batter leading to 2 earned runs. He was the losing pitcher. On offense the Dodgers were led by James Loney who was 2 for 4 with 1 RBI. Matt Kemp was also busy in this game as he was 1 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 1 homer and 1 RBI. Manny Ramirez pitched in as he was 1 for 4 with 2 runs scored. This was a shocking loss for the Dodgers who have a off day to stew over it. The Phillies are now up 3-1 in this series.

The Dodgers and Phillies could have a really high scoring game tonight in Philly. Lefty Randy Wolf (Dodgers) will be opposing righty Joe Blanton (Phillies) tonight. Wolf has started 1 game this post season and he is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP. He started 2 games against his ex-team this season and he was 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Wolf does have a trio of hitters on the Phillies that give him big problems so he will have to be careful with them. They are Pedro Feliz (5 for 17, 3 homers, 4 RBIs), Carlos Ruiz (4 for 6, 2 doubles, HR, 3 RBIs) and Shane Victorino (3 for 8, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs). The scary thing about that trio is that it doesn’t include the really bit bats on the Phillies. Joe Blanton will be making his first start of this post season tonight. He has worked in 2 games out of the bullpen so far in the playoffs and he is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Blanton started 1 game against the Dodgers this season and he was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Blanton better be careful tonight as a few of the Dodgers’ hitters have raked against him in their careers. Manny Ramirez is 14 for 25 (.560 avg) with 1 homer and 8 RBIs against Blanton. Andre Ethier also has mashed Blanton in the past as he is 5 for 11 (.455 avg) with 2 solo homers. Ronnie Belliard (3 for 8, 2B, RBI) and James Loney (5 for 8, 2 RBIs) also hit well against Blanton.