Bodog Beat

Manny Ramirez looks to keep his hot postseason rolling versus Philadelphia tonight. (AP Images)

The Philadelphia Phillies have struck first. Cole Hamels went seven strong innings, Chase Utley and Pat Burrell both went deep off Derek Lowe in the sixth, and the Phillies pulled out a 3-2 victory as –142 home favorites to take a 1-0 lead in the NLCS.

The Dodgers have no need to panic. They carried a 2-0 lead into the sixth before a Rafael Furcal throwing error put Shane Victorino on second base and set up Philly’s big inning. Friday afternoon’s Game 2 (a 4:35 p.m. start on FOX) should be another close one, as Chad Billingsley takes the hill for L.A. against the resurgent Brett Myers.

Billingsley: 3.14 ERA, 3.74 xFIP, 3.62 tRA, 51.6 VORP
Myers: 4.55 ERA, 4,01 xFIP, 4.58 tRA, 19.3 VORP

Myers has been outstanding since his minor-league rehab stint, posting a 3.06 ERA after the All-Star break. Billingsley: 2.99 ERA. This game shouldn’t take long.

Get your MLB odds in the Bodog Sportsbook!