Wolf returns to face Phillies in Game 4
Last Updated: Monday, October 19, 2009 | 11:16 AM ET
CBC Sports
Dodgers starter Randy Wolf returns to Philadelphia to face his former team on Monday night in Game 4 of the NLCS. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)After an 11-0 drubbing at the hands of Philadelphia in Game 3, the Los Angeles Dodgers will send former Phillies starter Randy Wolf to the mound Monday night when they try to even the NL championship series in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park.
The Dodgers also hope that Wolf (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will be able to last longer in his second career post-season start. He started Game 1 of the NL division series against St. Louis, but allowed two runs over 3 2/3 innings in the eventual 5-3 victory Oct. 7, and hasn't pitched since.
The setting will be familiar for the southpaw — Wolf pitched in the first game held at Citizens Bank Park in 2004 and was a fan favourite over his eight campaigns spent with Philadelphia. Some fans dubbed themselves the "Wolf Pack" and wore wolf masks on days he pitched.
"Well, I have a lot of memories here, a lot of good memories here," Wolf said. "I always enjoyed pitching here. The fans were always really great to me. But I think it's a lot of fun just being in a playoff game, an NLCS game against my former team. The fact that it's a rematch from last year makes it exciting."
He's 9-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts at the ballpark, including 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in two as a visitor.
Wolf, however, knows that this time around things will be different. He was booed during introductions before Sunday's game and knows many fans won't be cheering for him or wearing wolf masks in this start.
"They're born and raised Philadelphians and they're Phillies fans first and foremost," he said. "I think for the sake of their own lives they'll keep that under wraps."
Blanton gets the ball for the Phillies
Joe Blanton will get the start for Philadelphia, his first start since Oct. 2.
"I'm going to do whatever it takes to help us win," Blanton said. "If that means being in the bullpen or not throwing at all or whatever it is, I'm going to do as much as I can to help us win and help us achieve our goal that we've been working for all year."
Blanton's last post-season start came in a memorable Game 4 of last season's World Series against Tampa Bay — memorable not so much for his pitching line (two runs over six innings) but more for his homer in the fifth inning.
"When I think back, I really just think about all the adrenaline I had after I did it," Blanton said. "I enjoyed it, but almost didn't get to because I was so worried about trying to bring myself back down to pitch and not letting myself get out of rhythm."
The righty brings in a 1-0 record with a 2.88 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers. In Game 4 of last year's NLCS against the Dodgers, he gave up three runs in five innings for a no-decision in a 7-5 Phillies victory.
With files from The Associated Press
