Bill Plaschke: Dodgers will be looking inside for outs

Payback is a pitch.

An inside pitch, at their shirts, behind their butts, in their minds.

Revenge is heat.

The inside kind, making batters dance and bats wobble and thoughts wander.

If the Dodgers want to push the Philadelphia Phillies off their throne, they must first push them off the plate.

If the Dodgers want to pierce the Philadelphia Phillies’ heart, they must first be willing to travel under their chins.

A year ago, the Phillies pitchers had the Dodgers tasting dirt with constant inside pitches, robbing the young team of its rhythm and confidence in a four-games-to-one beating.

Beginning today in their National League Championship Series rematch, the Dodgers must return the flavor.

“Last year it got out of hand,” said Manager Joe Torre during Wednesday’s workout. “We learned from that, no question.”

Beginning today at 5 p.m. at Dodger Stadium, we will find out how much they learned.

“We’re very different,” Torre said.

The difference can be quickly illustrated with Torre’s choice of a Game 1 starter.

Nobody in the rotation has less experience, yet nobody has more swagger.

“Be aggressive,” said the beard-stubbled Clayton Kershaw, staring down a questioner. “That is what I try to do every time.”