NLCS Preview

Since I'm clearly so good at picking up match ups (as I chose the Cardinals, Red Socks, Yankees and Phillies to win, and no sweeps and 2 5-game series...so close and yet so far), I figured I'd do my match ups again with the Championship Series. First up the NLCS

Philadelphia Phillies vs. The Los Angeles Dodgers

Catcher: Carlos Ruiz vs. Rusell Marting
Advantage: Phillies. Once again, if this was last year, I'd easily say Martin has the advantage. Martin's regular season struggles continued into the post season, and he did not do well against the Cardinals. Ruiz on the other hand came up huge against Colorado, with several big hits.

First Base: James Loney vs. Ryan Howard
Advantage: Phillies. Maybe a couple years from now Loney will be at the point where he's even or even better than Howard, but for now he is not. Howard came up with big hits and was a lethal force against the Rockies.

Second Base: Chase Utley vs. Ronnie Belliard
Advantage: Phillies. Once again, the Phils player is simply better. Not much more to it.

Third Base: Pedro Feliz vs. Casey Blake
Advantage: Dodgers. Feliz can do some damage, but Blake is a veteran who can still perform at his age.

Short Stop: Jimmy Rollins vs. Rafeal Furcal
Advantage: Phillies. Both short stops are vital to the top of their orders, but Rollins is just a better player and more of a power threat. Furcal crushed the ball the whole NLDS, batting an even .500 (6/12), so watch out.

Left Field: Raul Ibanez vs. Manny Ramirez/Juan Pierre
Advantage: Dodgers. Once again, the Dodgers have the advantage of being able to use Manny in the start of the game and bring in Pierre later on for speed and defense. Ibanez can't be ignored, but it's Manny, who is always a monster in the post season.

Center Field: Shane Victorino vs. Matt Kemp
Advantage: Even. The players are very similar in terms of the speed, power, defense, and the ability to ignite a lineup at the top of the order. Both do very well, but it should be noted that Victorino did much better in the first round of the playoffs than Kemp did.

Right Field: Jayson Werth vs. Andre Ethier
Advantage: Dodgers. This is a close one, but Ethier is a better player overall. Both players were key to his team's offense in the NLDS, so they're both very hot right now.

Starting Pitching
Advantage: Phillies. Cole Hammels is better than his start in the NLDS shows, and Lee was lights out in both games. Dodgers can't expect for Padilla to pitch like that again, but you never know (he might want revenge on the team that passed on keeping him so many years ago). Whichever team's starters do better will win this series

Bullpen
Advantage: Dodgers. As long as Torre's relievers aren't over used, they're a lethal force out there. The Phillies' go to guy Madson struggled, but he will probably pitch better next series. Dodgers have a long list of usable guys out there, who did very well in the first round.

Closer: Brad Lidge vs. Jonathan Broxton
Advantage: Dodgers. Once again, this is based on the regular season. If it was the NLDS I'd say Lidge has it, and especially if they go back to last year's playoffs. But during the regular season, Broxton was great while Lidge struggled. This might change once Broxton faces Matt Stairs like in last year's NLCS.

Prediction: Phillies in 6