By Aaron M Smith
If a lawyer was arguing that 2010 was the ” Year of the Pitcher”, they wouldn’t have to look any further than the National League Championship for Exhibit A. The 2010 National League Championship features the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. While the runs may be limited in this series, pitching will certainly not be – as both teams feature exceptional starting pitching. Let’s take a look at both teams:
Philadelphia Phillies:
The Phillies made quick work of the Cincinnati Reds, winning in 3 games. The starting pitching of Phillies was the star of the series, holding the high powered Reds to four runs and a .124 average in the 3 games. Roy Halladay started the playoffs off with an “are-you-freaking-kidding-me? ” moment by pitching a no-hitter in Game 1. Cole Hamels was just as dominant in Game 3 with a complete game shutout. The question remains the Phillies offense which was relatively quiet during the NLDS. Sure, the Phillies scored 7 runs in Game 2, but they were also assisted by 4 Reds errors. The Phillies bullpen should be rested, as the starters have done most of the work. If runs are a few, the bullpen will be called upon to get them to the World Series. Will they answer the call?
San Francisco Giants:
Just how good is the San Francisco Giants starting pitching? “The Freak” – Tim Lincecum was dominant in his playoff debut. Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez were just as good, with Sanchez striking out 11 in Game 3. Almost as certain as Brent Musberger using the phrase, “Folks, we are watching the freshman grow up before our very eyes”, the MLB baseball playoffs is almost certain to introduce us to a new face in the game. This year it is Madison Bumgarner. The rookie was dominant for the Giants late in the regular season and Game 4 vs. the Atlanta Braves was no different. Bumgarner allows the Giants to pitch Lincecum on normal rest – something huge over the life of the playoffs. The Giants hitters remain the key for this team’s push to the World Series. While not overpowering against Braves pitchers, they scored enough to support their pitchers during the NLDS. They will need more offense to get past the Phillies. But the Giants hit Phillies starters pretty well during the regular season, scoring 24 runs over 45 innings (4.80 era). Can they carry that success into the NLCS?
Prediction: Runs will be few and far between, which means this series comes down to the bullpens. The Giants bullpen is better. Giants in 7. Yes, you heard it here first.
Have a Prediction? Let’s hear it.
Smitty —
I’d love to see the Giants win this series and will be rooting for them, BUT … not so fast, my friend. (Brain talking now). I agree that the Giants bullpen might be better, but the Phillies highpowered offense, veteran savvy, battle-tested championship grit will prove to be the difference. Can’t help but think guys like Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez, Charlie Manuel, et al are gonna let this group of young upstarts from SF to win the pennant. I’d love to see SF win; however, my pick is the Phillies in 7. This will be fun to watch, as will the AL series.
I’m looking forward to the Halladay-Lincecum duel. That is as intriguing a match-up as we have had in a few years.
The Giants moved Sanchez to the second day. I give SF the advantage in game 2.
It is amazing the Giants are where they are. Last week, Buster Olney described their fielders as a bunch of beer league softball players. Pat Burrell in left is kinda amusing. Wonder if he could handle the green monster?
Nice to see that kid from “Dazed and Confused” pitching so well though.
And say, was watching Texas score those 2 runs by not stopping at 3rd like watching the Little League WS?
Halladay vs Lincecum will indeed be very intriguing as you say. In that one, I’m putting my money on Doc Halladay because he really knows “how to pitch” and does it very efficiently with a minimum of pitches. While Lincecum is very talented, seems like he’s always going for the strikeout and deep into counts … I think that’ll cost him now at this level of play with the stakes this high. If he had a few more years under his belt, this probably wouldn’t be a worry for SF. Again, hope I’m wrong, but …
I was going to compare Lincecum to the kid from Third Rock from the Sun, but Dazed and Confused works just as well.
Wally, it looks like I returned just in time to debate the value of the strikeout with you. 🙂
This series has the potential to be really great. So far this postseason, the Braves-Giants series has been the most interesting: four one-run games, including one that went into extra innings and another decided on a 9th-inning comeback. If the Giants pitchers can live up to expectations, there’s reason to believe this series will be very similar.
Of course, now that I’ve said this, it will probably be a yawner. I’m pulling for the Giants, but have to consider the Phils the favorite…just not a lock. 😉
Lyin’ in bed just like Brian Wilson did.
Okay, I was a little off when I said it would be Madison Bumgartner that would be introduced to America in these playoffs.. America – meet Cody Ross.
Hitting out of the 8-hole no less.
WHOA! It’s a Jose Contreras sighting!
I am getting to the point where I would rather watch bird poop run down the side of my car then listen to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.
How old is Jose Contreras??
Not sure of his exact age, but he’s got his AARP subscription.
Any truth to him playing bingo before night games??
Oswalt in relief. Is it my imagination, or do National League managers use their starting pitchers in relief in the playoffs much more frequently than American League managers?
National League managers do EVERYTHING more frequently than AL managers. Those dang pitchers holding a spot in the batting order actually make ’em have to think.
Wally that is true. I think NL managers are forced to think a little more out of the box than AL managers. If it means bringing a pitcher back on 2 days rest, NL managers are more likely to do it.
But look at the two different managing styles in the NL game. Manuel was obviously thinking the game was going to go extra innings and didn’t use Lidge.
Bochy was a little more aggressive and used his closer to shut down the Phils in the ninth.
Right now, Bochy looks like the smarter manager.
Actually Smitty, both managers went by the book, which says to use your closer in a tie game in the 9th or extra innings at home (since there can no longer be a save situation), and to save him on the road. Personally, I only agree with the latter point when you still have a guy like Ryan Madson available. But, Madson was already used up, and so was Contreras, and I’m not sure where his confidence level lies with J.C. Romero. If Oswalt was feeling strong and it was his day to throw, I don’t have a problem with him showing confidence in him, but when they go to the bullpen scrubs before the closer (especially in the playoffs), I don’t agree.
Baseball showed the value of an inch again. If the Phils come back and win, we will be looking at the play at third by Sandoval and the call by the home plate ump. That ball was OBVIOUSLY foul. Is that a play where the umps cannot get together and help each other? I guess I could see how the home plate guy missed that one. It was bang-bang. Although the ball did go in one direction, hit Halladay and go in the opposite direction.
The Giants won in 1954 in New York, moved to California a few years later and haven’t won since. They lost the ’62 World Series in the most brutal way possible (McCovey’s line drive that got snared). They watched in horror as the underdog Dodgers won in 1988; one year later, when the Giants finally made it back, a devastating earthquake happened right before their first World Series home game in 27 years and took precedence over everything that happened on the field. Thirteen years later, they choked away a five-run lead in Game 6 of the 2002 World Series, gave away the title to Anaheim, then their best player became the most loathed athlete of his generation. Look, I can’t watch a Giants playoff home game and NOT think of that stuff. Fifty-plus years of pain. It hangs over everything. That’s not atmosphere? You didn’t feel it last night in the third inning when their defense fell apart and the fans went into “oh, no, please, no …” mode?
Bill —
That sounds like a Chicago Cubs playoff atmosphere, just not nearly as “nervous”. When your slogan is “Hey, ANYONE can have a bad century!” … the paranoia is indeed quite thick.
BARTMAN !!!!!
Here’s how I know the Giants crowd had it going these past few days: Joe Buck actually sounded excited to be there. Now that’s saying something. By the way, if the pre-2004 Red Sox blew a World Series trip in Game 5 — playing at home, with our best pitcher on the mound — and now had to fly cross-country to clinch on the road, I’d spend the entire weekend in the fetal position. I’m not sure the Giants can bounce back from that. Tortured teams can’t blow chances in ways that remind their fans, “Oh, that’s right, God hates us.” It never ends well. Hope I’m wrong.