NLCS Preview...

Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles Dodgers are at home waiting for a rematch with the Philadelphia Phillies, who beat them, in last years National League Championship Series. The team will need to beat Philadelphia if it plans to end a 21 year World Series drought. The Dodger will turn to 21 year old Clayton Kershaw, who was just a baby when the team last won the Commissioners Trophy, to be a catalyst in this years NLCS. On the mound for the Phillies will be Cole Hamels. The Phils lefty is the proud papa of a newborn baby himself. On Friday morning, Hamels and his wife Heidi welcomed a healthy baby boy -- Caleb Michael into their family. It is the 25 year olds first child. Some of his teammates think it is going to make him that much better, more focused.

"I think he's going to have fun out there, "Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said."I've heard having a baby gives you a different perspective on life. There's more meaning. Hopefully that will show up on the mound. You know that's going to be in the back of his head."

The Dodgers lineup is probably knows Hamels needs no extra confidence as he has been superb against the Boys in Blue throughout his career. In his six career starts (including postseason play) against Los Angeles, Hamels has gone 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA. In the NLCS a year ago, he won two games posting a 1.93 Era. His lifetime ERA at Chavez Ravine is 1.83 (16 games).

Clayton Kershaw seems ready for his close-up with the nation watching him take the mound first at 5:07 p.m. PT time tonight. He has a devastating curveball deemed 'Public Enemy No. 1' by Dodgers Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, and is not afraid to go right at hitters. In his first postseason start Kershaw went 6 2/3 innings, battling a Cy Young hopeful in Adam Wainright of the Cards. Previous to that the 21 year old lefty pitched the Dodgers past the Rockies in their division clincher striking out 10, including the first 5 batters he faced. When speaking to reporters about his role in this upcoming start, Kershaw was relaxed as ever. "Be aggressive -- that's what I try to do every time," said Kershaw.

"The pitcher's job is to just go right after them with your best stuff, and if they beat you -- tip your hat to them."

I think it's a combination of moxie as much as it is his raw talent that is going to make him a star. He really seems to get it, and get it he must if the Dodgers want to beat a lineup as potent as Charlie Manuel has put together. Former league MVP Ryan Howard hit .375 in the NLDS. Chase Utley hit .429 with a HR. Adding to that was Jayson Werth, non-tendered by Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who hit .357 with 2 HRs and the 'Flyin' Hawaiian' Shane Victorino that batted .353 with a double and a HR. Victorino also adds a lot of speed on the base paths. Kershaw should feel confident in his bullpen once he establishes himself. Los Angeles relievers posted a 3.12 ERA in the regular season, tops in the NL, and had a 2-0 record with a 1.86 ERA in the NLDS sweep of St. Louis.

The Dodgers clutch performer of the year, Andre Ethier is confident in his teams chances. "It's just another opportunity," said Ethier. "This team is different, that team is different. It's not about revenge. It's about the team we're facing and being four games closer to our goal." Look for Andre to be a major contributor again in this series. He led the club with 2 HRs in the division series and like Kershaw, never seems to shy away from the spotlight.