성공적인 불펜 피칭, 하지만 지켜볼 것이다

The Dodgers' pitching rotation for the NLCS is beginning to take form and, while not yet announced, the starting four while likely include Hiroki Kuroda, who missed his final start of the regular season and the NLDS because of a small disk herniation in his cervical spine.

Kuroda threw a simulated game Tuesday at the club's spring training facility in Glendale, Arizona, under the watchful eye of manager Joe Torre, among others.  He threw about 50 pitches over five innings, according to Torre.  Kuroda also threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session, for a total of 75 pitches on the day.  Torre wouldn't commit to naming his rotation, but he was gushing in his praise of Kuroda, calling his command today "surprisingly good."  Torre noted that Kuroda's experience in big games worked to his favor :
목 디스크로 인해 정규시즌 마지막 등판과 DS를 스킵했었던 구로다가 오늘 카멜백-렌치에서 시뮬레이션 피칭을 했습니다. 이 자리에는 토레를 비롯한 많은 사람들이 지켜봤으며 5이닝동안 50개의 공을 던졌다고 합니다. 그리고 불펜 피칭을 25개 했었다네요. 아직 선발 로테이션에 대한 어떠한 언급도 없었지만, 토레는 오늘 피칭에 대해 "대단히 만족"한다는 코맨트를 남겼으며 특히 커맨드가 좋았다고 전했습니다. 근대 LAtimes에서는 구로다가 49개 던지고 불펜피칭에서 21개 던졌다고 하네요. 누구 말을 들어야 하나?ㅋㅋ

The ability he had last year to pitch the way he did in the postseason, and even late in the season in important games, is certainly a factor.

If Kuroda joins the rotation, he would likely have to take the spot of Chad Billingsley or Vicente Padilla, as Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw seem pretty entrenched at the top of the rotation.  Padilla, who pitched seven shutout innings in his postseason debut on Saturday, isn't going anywhere, according to GM Ned Colletti :
구로다가 로테이션에 합류한다면 기존의 4명의 선발 투수중에 한 명이 탈락할 것으로 예상됩니다. 이에 대해 콜레티 단장은 DS에서 호투한 파디야를 선발진에서 탈락시키지는 않을 것이라고 말했다는군요.

Padilla's going to be a starter in the LCS.  When exactly, we're still sorting through, but his performance the other night was one of the best performances we've seen all year.  He deserves the opportunity to keep starting, and he'll keep starting for us.

Torre said a decision won't be announced until Wednesday, after how Kuroda feels physically, and after Torre gets a chance to talk to the pitchers in question.  NLCS rosters are due Thursday.
토레는 일단 로테이션에 대한 발표는 내일까지 보류한다는 입장을 내놨습니다. 아무래도 구로다의 상태를 100%신뢰하지 못하는듯합니다. 로스터 발표일은 우리나라 시간으로 금요일까지만 제출하면 됩니다.

Whomever the opponent in the National League Championship Series, the Dodgers are not expected to make changes in the lineup.

It isn't broken, so manager Joe Torre doesn't figure to fix it, which means Ronnie Belliard will be the second baseman over Orlando Hudson, Matt Kemp hits in the No. 2 hole and Manny Ramirez continues to bat cleanup.

What really is making the lineup click more than anything right now is Rafael Furcal's production at the top of the order. He not only had a .500 batting average (6 for 12) in the three-game National League Division Series, he had a .667 on-base percentage. He also is a threat on the basepaths with 12 steals.

"I have good hitters after me, and they hit better when I'm on base in front of them," Furcal said. "The pitchers care about me, they worry about me stealing a base, and I'm trying to make something happen.
이에 대해 데일리뉴스에서는 누가 CS상대가 될지 모르겠지만 라인업의 변화는 없지 않을까라는 예측을 내놨습니다.
일단 DS에서 대활약했던 이띠어는 다소 약세로 돌아설 가능성이 있습니다. 필리스의 주력투수가 좌완이기때문이죠. 하지만 이띠어의 활약을 캠프가 한다면 어떻까요? 더군다나 살아났었던 매니 앞에 캠프란....페스트볼을 좋아하는 캠프란!!

9월부터 타격과 주루에서 대폭발을 하고 있는 퍼칼이 이번에도 좋은 활약을 이어나간다면 다저스는 좋은 공격무기가 이미 장착되었다고 봐도 무방할거 같습니다.