NLCS Matchups

The two teams most thought would advance to the NLCS made their way, the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. The Phillies swept the Cincinnati Reds and the Giants ended a legendary managing career of Bobby Cox and his Atlanta Braves. Here a look at the positional match ups for the series.

First Base: Aubrey Huff v. Ryan Howard
Howard in a former MVP and an offensive powerhouse, but do not sell Huff short. He has been extremely instrumental in the Giants success in 2010. Still, Howard also possesses a better glove and bat.
Advantage: Phillies

Second Base: Freddy Sanchez v. Chase Utley
Sanchez is a former batting champ and has had the look of regaining that form. Bad thing for the Giants is that Utley appears to be regaining his form, too.
Advantage: Phillies

Shortstop: Juan Uribe v. Jimmy Rollins
Two contrasting shortstops here. Uribe hits more with power and Rollins holds the potential, if healthy, to run you crazy. Uribe has a better arm, but Rollins fields better.
Advantage: Phillies



Third Base: Pablo Sandoval v. Placido Polanco
Sandoval slid offensively in 2010 and Polanco, well, showed that he's as consistent as they come. The move to third didn't come without a few headaches with the defense, but he settled in.
Advantage: Phillies

Left Field: Pat Burrell v. Raul Ibanez
Pretty much the same type of players here. Not really stellar in the field. Can hit the long ball. The main difference between Ibanez and Burrell is the average.
Advantage: Phillies

Center Field: Angel Torres v. Shane Victorino
Again, both are similar. Victorino has a Gold Glove and Torres may snare one this season. Both are atop the team's lineup for good reasons, they make things happen. Victorino is more apt to steal a base and has had a better postseason thus far.
Advantage: Phillies

Right Field: Cody Ross v. Jayson Werth
Hard to believe that Werth struggled against the Reds pitching. Meanwhile, Ross did produce against the Braves pitching. Defensively, Werth is a notch better. Now, will Bruce Bochy play Ross?
Advantage: Giants

Catcher: Buster Posey v. Carlos Ruiz
Posey will receive serious consideration for NL Rookie of the Year. Ruiz is about as steady as they come.
Advantage: Giants...barely

Starting Pitching:
Yes, we have the trio of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels against the foursome of Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, Matt Cain and possibly Madison Bumgarner. Too tough to call? Halladay has already tossed a no-no this postseason, but Lincecum has a 14K outing. Oswalt was hit a bit by the Reds. Cain was amazing in his outing and Hamels was just as stellar in his. It could be the rookie Bumgarner that decides this...if he gets the opportunity.

Closer: Brian Wilson v. Brad Lidge
If you look strictly at their numbers, you have to scream that Wilson is the better of the two. He is, but don't forget the final two months Lidge had. Lidge had 17 saves and a 0.73 ERA during that time. Wilson was no slouch either. In that same two month period, he posted a 2-1 record with 18 saves with a 0.95 ERA.
Advantage: Push...both are superb

Sure looks like a Phillies series, doesn't it. Here's a couple of things to keep in mind though.

1. The Phillies didn't exactly light up the pitching staff of the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds self-imploded in Game 2. The Phils managed only 10 runs and 21 hits in the three game series. They only hit .212 against the Reds.

2. Of those 10 runs Philly scored, three were unearned. Don't look for the Giants to surrender many free runs. Like Cincy, the Giants were tied with the Reds with a .988 fielding percentage. The difference may be the range of the fielders.

3. The Giants bats were also quiet posting the same .212 batting average, but you don't expect the Giants to have an offensive explosion like you do the Phillies.

I do look for Philadelphia to win the series in six games, but it will be a tough draw since the Giants possess excellent pitching. For San Francisco to have a chance, they must hit and hit often.