Many of you may have expected the benches to empty at some point this post-season; that it happened in the National League series is the shocker.
The Red Sox and Rays have often found reason to group-hug in recent years, yet they've been downright neighbourly in the playoffs. The Dodgers and Phillies have been a different story.
It all began in Game 2 when Brett Myers moved Russ Martin off the plate and threw behind Manny Ramirez. As Myers continued to work inside, Dodger pitcher Chad Billingsley failed to counter. This drew mild criticism from Derek Lowe prior to Game 3 in Los Angeles.
Despite a five-run, first-inning outburst, the third game presented a wealth of intrigue. Clay Condrey's buzzing of Martin was a succulent appetizer for Hiroki Kuroda's decision to throw near Shane Victorino's head. Victorino did his best to consult the Japanese pitcher on a preferred plunking location and was able to get in his grill later on a groundout.
It's unlikely Kuroda acted alone. In fact, Sportsnet baseball analyst Gregg Zaun figures he responded to the advice of Lowe.
Martin was later asked if the errant pitch was supposed to serve as a wake-up call to the Phillies. Quite the opposite said the affable Canadian catcher; that alarm was set for the Dodgers' benefit.
And it worked.
The Dodgers got themselves back in the series with a convincing win, and now neither team has defeated the other in the other team's ballpark this year (The Phillies are 6-0 in Philadelphia; the Dodgers are 5-0 in Los Angeles).
Some old-style baseball has been served up by some old-time managers in the NLCS and everyone seems to have an opinion on the events.
It's time to get yours on two fronts: Do you enjoy how, in the words of Joe Torre, baseball "polices itself"? As well, did they close the book in Game 3 or does the two-step continue tonight?
