Saito update and tonight's lineups
Torre said Saito took the news that he wasn't on the LCS roster like a true professional. He'll stay with the team for now and throw bullpens -- the equivalent of the rehab assignment he never had is the way Torre put it -- but might go to Peoria to make one appearance in the Instructional League if this series goes long and it looks like he might have a shot at a potential World Series roster. ... By the way, Hong-Chih Kuo will be limited to warming up one time per game, pitching one inning per appearance and no back-to-back days.
Dodgers:
Furcal. SS
Ethier. RF
Ramirez. LF
Martin. C
Loney. 1B
Kemp. CF
Blake. 3B
DeWitt. 2B
Lowe. RHP
Phillies:
Rollins. SS
Victorino. CF
Utley. 2B
Howard. 1B
Burrell. LF
Werth. RF
Feliz. 3B
Ruiz. C
Hamels. LHP
Why the switch between Ethier and Martin in the 2 and 4 slot in the batting order?
The most likely reason for the switch is that Martin had four hits, including three doubles and a homer, and five RBIs against the Cubbies and Ethier had one single and no RBIs.
Joe's probably hoping Russell stays in that form, and hopes to get Ethier going by batting him ahead of Manny.
The problem with this is ... only one guy gets to hit ahead of Manny, and whomever that is, is likely to see better pitches than anyone else on the team.
Look for Andre's numbers to go up and Russell's to go down if Joe sticks with lineup for the remainder of the series.
The switch is only for tonight against Hamels. They're going back to the division series lineup tomorrow