NLDS Preview

My Fellow Phans,

The Phillies ended their season on a losing note Sunday despite a last ditch comeback effort against the Braves bullpen. The game mattered little to the Phillies as they had already clinched the division and home field earlier in the week.

Now, however, the games start to mean everything. The postseason starts Wednesday here at Citizens Bank Park against the Cincinnati Reds.

I will do a season recap later this week, but I wanted to get this playoff preview out of the way first.

Pitching Matchups for the Opening 3 games of the NLDS:

Wednesday (5:07pm @ Philly):

Roy Halladay (21-10 2.44 ERA overall; 0-1 2.12 ERA vs. Reds)

Vs.

Edison Volquez (4-3 4.31 ERA overall; did not face Phillies in 2010)

Friday (6:07pm @ Philly):

Roy Oswalt (13-13 2.76 ERA overall; 0-2 6.75 ERA vs. Reds)

Vs.

Bronson Arroyo (17-10 3.88 ERA overall; did not face Phillies in 2010)

Sunday:

Cole Hamels (12-11 3.06 ERA overall; 1-0 0.00 ERA vs. Reds)

Vs.

Johnny Cueto (12-7 3.64 ERA overall; 1-0 1.20 ERA vs. Phillies)

Phillies vs. Reds Comparison:

Offense:  The Reds were the only team in the National League to score more runs this season.  They only score 18 more runs total so thinking back to the Phillies 2-month offensive struggles; that isn’t much of a difference. So I am going to call this even. The Reds have quality hitting in their lineup as do the Phillies.

Edge: Even

Defense: The Reds had the 2^nd least errors in all of baseball last year while the Phillies had the 4^th. Let’s also call this a draw.

Edge: Even

Starting Pitching: This may be the one section where the Phillies have the edge on Cincy. Their “Big-3” may be the best in the entire National League. Don’t count the Reds out either ; they have quality pitching on their side as well. The Reds’ starters ERA this season was 4.05 compared to the Phillies’ 3.55. Let’s give this a slight edge to the Phillies here.

Edge: Phillies

Relief Pitching:  Again this is a tossup; Their bullpen ERAs were so close during the season that I am just going to call this even. Both teams have their strong spots and weaknesses out there in the bullpen.

Edge: Even

Coaching / Experience: As much as I love Dusty Baker, the Reds have not been in the playoffs in quite a long time. This will be the 4^th straight visit for the Phillies so they may have the edge in the experience factor. I’m not saying that experience plays a part, but it seems to always be a topic of discussion so I will include it here.

Edge: Phillies

Overall:  The Phillies have the slight edge in this season. I will not make a serious prediction as it always comes back to bit me in the end, so I will just end this by saying that Phillies have the edge to start this series

Edge: Phillies

Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!