NLCS preview: Dodgers vs. Phillies

The Los Angeles Dodgers tied the Florida Marlins for the seventh-best record in the 16-team National League this year, but as they begin the N.L. Championship Series Thursday night against the Phillies in Philadelphia, it’s hard to argue against them as one of the two hottest teams in the league. The Phillies are the other. The Phillies are hotter. Manny Ramirez leads a whole new L.A. against scorching Philadelphia in a series that looks remarkably even The Dodgers, re-tooled at the trading deadline with Casey Blake and also some other guy — maybe an outfielder? — went on an 18-5 run following an eight-game losing streak in August. That run clinched the very clinch-able N.L. West. They lost three of four meaningless games once the division was secured but picked up where they left off when the games counted again, sweeping... [read full story]