The baseball axiom goes "if you have great pitching, your more than likely to win in October.
But what happens when you have the two best pitching staffs in the National League?
Well at Citizens Bank Park tonight we begin to find out as Game1 of the NLCS between the two-time defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillie's and the NL West Champion San Francisco Giants starts off with what should be a pitchers duel for the ages.
Reigning two-time Cy Young winner, Tim "The Freak" Lincecum, goes against Mr. No- hitter, Roy Halladay with first pitch set for 8:24 PM
The series is a throw back to the late 60's and 70's where teams like the Baltimore Oriole's and St Louis Cardinals dominated, and intimidated respective leagues with stellar pitching in October.
You couldn't come up with two pitchers that are so unlike each other in personality and approach then the machine like Halladay and the carefree skinny kid Lincecum. But they both get Cy Young results.
As for the offense's, the Phils are a power laden team which has driven them in making there 3rd NLCS appearence in a row. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jason Werth face a Giants staff that had a 0.98 era in the Divisional Series striking out 36 in the process.
During the regular season series,they split 3 games apiece, Phillies hitters were shut down by the Giants starters hitting a collective . 226 with four home runs.
Jimmy Rollins, has yet to have a break out game, during the playoffs and some experts see this a important sign in terms of run production.
The Giants with odds-on favorite for rookie of the year, Buster Posey, don't score many runs, however come up with timely hits in crucial situations.
The Giants with odds-on favorite for rookie of the year, Buster Posey, don't score many runs, however come up with timely hits in crucial situations.
As some added drama former Phils'slugger Pat "The Bat" Burrell and center fielder Aaron Rowand will be across the diamond in the visitors dugout each chomping at the bit for an opportunity to do in there former team.
The series promises to be something special, something Major League Baseball fans have longed for.
The Phillie's have done this before and are battle tested champs.
The Giants came from behind and passed the fading Padres to win there division. Every game in September was a playoff game essentially.
If Rollins doesn't do as he has done in the past, its going to be a long series. They need him to set the table. The Phil's offensive struggles can be traced right back to Rollins inability to get on base.
Can closer Brad Lidge keep it together? Will Brian Wilson melt under lights of scrutiny?
So many questions to be answered, in such a short span of time.
Giants in 7
Game time temperature will be 55 degrees with winds coming out of the West North West at approximately 10 MPH when the first pitch is thrown reports the Weather Channel.
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