Dodgers might lose Hanley Ramirez for NLCS

Los Angeles Dodgers’ shortstop Hanley Ramirez might not be in the lineup again for Game 3 of their series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

With Adam Wainwright on the hill for St. Louis, this news spells further offensive trouble for the Dodgers.  Through two games and 22 innings of play in the NLCS, Los Angeles has scored only 2 runs – including a 1-0 defeat in Game 2 that saw Cardinals’ starter Michael Wacha go 6.2 innings and give up only 5 hits.

Ramirez injured his ribs in Game 1 after being hit by Cardinals starter Joe Kelly, which kept him out of the lineup in a game-time decision by manager Don Mattingly.  According to a report from the Associated Press, you can expect another last minute decision for Game 3, and perhaps the rest of the series.

According to Ramirez, it’s all about pain management.

“We’re just working on that, taking the pain away so I can go,” Ramirez said. “Even if it’s cracked or something, I’m going to be able to get out there if we can take the pain away. It feels the same, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to remain positive for tomorrow.”

The star shortstop underwent a CT scan on Sunday, with results still not available.