Freak, Doc Poised for Game 1 Showdown

The San Francisco Giants and the reigning NL Cy Young travel to Philadelphia to kick off the NLCS on Saturday night.  The Giants, who arguably have the best pitching staff left in this playoffs, will try their luck against the 2 time defending National League Champions.  The Phillies, who have an AL lineup with a shutdown big three in the rotation, are heavily favored to win this series and advance to their third straight World Series.  But this fan thinks that the SF Giants have more than a puncher's chance in this match up.

While the Phillies can throw up three pitchers better than the Giants, it's not by much.  The Giants led the entire National League this year in ERA.  Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, and Matt Cain all have opportunities to win their respective games.  Game 1 will be the indicator for the series, as are most games 1, but especially this one.  If Tim Lincecum can pitch like he did in his only start against the Braves in the NLDS, he will almost certainly come out on top.  Two problems though.  One:  Roy Halladay is just as likely to continue his dominance.  Two:  The Braves lineup is no where near as talented as this vaunted veteran offense that the Phils have put together.  The Giants need to get to the Achilles Heel of this team.  And in this fan's opinion, that weakness is Philadelphia's bullpen, which has gone largely untested this postseason.  While Brad Lidge was lights out from August on, he still struggles with his alter ego.  You know the one.  Where he melts down every now and again, and can't get anyone out even if you walk up to the plate with a stick ball bat.  Ryan Madson has been a reliable setup man, but he aslo has some baggage in the later innings. 

The Phillies formula is not to deviate.  Get 8 innings from your starter, and run production out of the middle of the order, because you don't want brad Lidge near a big game, even if he was lights out at the end of the season.  Get Jimmy Rollins going, because their offense runs off his spark.  Rollins was hurt this year, but he has to start hitting sometime in the near future.  He batted just .091 in the ALDS for the Phillies.  As a matter of fact, get that whole lineup going.  Chase Utley looks like he's the only star in this "star" studded line up, and he's only 3 for 11 in these playoffs although he has 4 RBI with a home run. 

The Giants formula should be very simple.  Pitch like you have all season, but be more patient at the plate.  Work the counts, and get that pitch count up.  Easier said than done when you're facing guys like Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels, I know.  But, if the Giants want a shot at the World Series, they're going to have to beat Philadelphia's bullpen.  While the Phillies have the best offense in the National League, the Giants have the best pitching staff.  When you talk about starters, the Phillies have the edge, but when discussing entire staffs, the Giants have to get the nod.  Brian Wilson led the NL in saves with 48, pitching to 1.81 ERA.

Mid and late season additions for the Giants have paid huge dividends, in the form of former Marlin, Cody Ross, Aubrey Huff, and homegrown future star, Buster Posey.  While struggling for much of the 2010 season, Ross has put up some nice numbers in the postseason.  He is 4 for 14 with a home run and three RBI.  Huff had 4 hits in 15 AB's with an RBI, and Posey has has been quite the player for San Francisco batting .375 with 3 runs scored and a stolen base in the ALDS.  Can they overcome their inexperience to upset the Phillies?  We'll just have to wait and find out, but if you're reading this you want to know what I think, right? So......

Game 1 should be a classic pitcher's duel.  Actually, series could be one big pitcher's duel.  I like the Giants pitching in this series, but the Phillies can match it with their rotation, and the offense, if it starts to click, put's them over the top....

The Pick: Phillies in 7