NLDS: Phillies vs. Cardinals

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The hard charging Cards will be a challenge for Phillies’ dominant pitching

By Lori Hoffman

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Sep. 30, 2011

To the Phillies fans that weren’t exactly happy that the Phillies blew up the Braves to help the dangerous Cardinals win the wild card, chill out. Yes, the Phillies have a losing record against the Redbirds (3-6), but three of those wins came after they beat the Cards to clinch the division title. Besides, you can throw away the records when the post-season arrives.

Certainly the Cards are a bigger challenge than the young, inexperienced Reds from last year’s NLDS. The Cards, like those Reds, have the best offense in the National League but they have battle-tested veterans — Albert Pujois, Lance Berkman, Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday, the latter hampered by injury. However, one fear factor for the Cardinals remains the same: when the Phillies reacquired Cliff Lee, they put together the best starting rotation in baseball.
Let’s break it down:

Pitching
The Phillies fab four are Roy Halliday (19-6, 2.35), Cliff Lee (17-9 2.40), Cole Hamels (14-9, 2.79) and Roy Oswalt (9-10, 3.69). All four have proven track records in the post-season and if any of them falter, they have outstanding rookie Vance Worley (11-3, 3.01) in the long relief role. The Phillies have an excellent bullpen topped by closer Ryan Madsen, and lately, a revitalized Brad Lidge as the set-up man. Lefty Antonio Bastardo faltered down the stretch but looked better in his final appearance.

The Cardinals have steady righthanders Kyle Lohse (14-8, 3.39) and Chris Carpenter (11-9, 3.45) plus tough lefty Jaime Garcia (13-7, 3.56) who gives the Phillies fits (0.96 era). Late-season pick-up Edwin Jackson (5-2, 3.58 with Cards) is scheduled to pitch game two.
The Card’s bullpen has been their weakest link, with 26 blown saves. However, in their sizzling finish to the season, the ’pen did much better, led by new closer RHP Jason Motte, RHP Fernando Salas (24 saves), and lefties Marc Rzepczynski and Arthur Rhodes. RHP Eduardo Sanchez, back from the disabled list, is also in the mix.

Advantage: Phillies

Hitting
The Phillies have been inconsistent all season, with too many games of three runs or less. However, much of that hit-and-miss persona was due to numerous injuries, including DL time for Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco, who is playing with a sports hernia. The offense improved tremendously when the team acquired Hunter Pence, who leads the team with a .315 batting average. Manager Charlie Manual’s recent line-up shuffle with Pence in the three-hole and Utley batting second has energized the bats. Rollins, Pence and Raul Ibanez have the hot sticks at the moment and catcher Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz has a special nickname, Senor Octobre, in the post-season for a reason. His .282 playoff average is the best on the team.

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