Well, at least we've got a series.

Which Phillies fans and Phillies beat writers alike would probably be happier with a sweep, for different reasons (a day off every now and then would be nice, people).

But the Phils weren't going to oblige. Jamie Moyer simply can't beat the Dodgers.

After yielding six runs in 1 1/3 innings, Moyer's lifetime ERA against Los Angeles swelled to 5.95.

The Phils better hope they can win this series in five or six games, otherwise they're going to face a dilemma: do they pitch Jamie Moyer in Game 7?

I think they would. Here's one tidbit from manager Charlie Manuel's postgame press conference on Moyer:

"He's been consistent all year long for us. He's won 17 games and he's one of the reasons why we're playing here."

The Phils also may want to avoid getting to a Game 6 though, too. Since the Dodgers are going with a three-man rotation (as I mentioned here in the blog before the series started), Hiroki Kuroda would make his next start in Game 6.

I wouldn't feel too confident in the Phillies chances with Kuroda on the mound. While Moyer was roughed up, Kuroda silenced the visiting team's bats, setting the tone for the game by retiring 13 in a row from the second to the seventh inning.

In three starts this year against the Phils, Kuroda is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA. Kuroda has held the Phillies to a .141 batting average (9-for-64) with four extra base hits (no home runs).

All of this (avoiding Games 6 and 7) obviously puts a premium on winning the next two games. The Phils would have to like their chances in Game 5, when Cole Hamels and his 1.20 playoff ERA take the hill.

With that logic, the most important game comes tonight, when Joe Blanton takes the hill opposite Dodgers ace Derek Lowe.