NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 97-65
Manager: Charlie Manuel
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009
Last World Series Appearance: 2009
Last World Series Title: 2008
Total Championships: 2
2010 MVP: Roy Halladay
NL Central Champion Cincinnati Reds
Record: 91-71
Manager: Dusty Baker
Last Playoff Appearance: 1995
Last World Series Appearance: 1990
Last World Series Title: 1990
Total Championships: 5
2010 MVP: Joey Votto
This series at first glance looks like a mis match. On one hand we have the back to back defending National League champs with most of the roster still left over from the 08 title season. Playoff experience is at a premium in Philly and the squad has a big 3 of pitchers as well as an American League style force of an offense. The Phillies underachieved most of the year mostly due to injuries but have been waiting for this moment since the final out of last seasons fall classic loss to New York. The only true question mark with this team actually lies with its season MVP, Roy Halladay. Despite being perhaps the best pitcher of the last ten years the playoffs are a whole different ball of wax. Halladay will be making his first career playoff start in game one and even though it should not be an issue for a guy coming off a 21 win season this is still something currently unknown. Great aces of the past have crashed and burned in the post-season after remarkable success all summer. There is also added pressure on not only Roy but the Phillies brass. The organization decided to unload fellow former Cy Young winner Cliff Lee in the off-season after acquiring Halladay. This was weeks after Lee single handily won the only two Philly World Series victories. Some say it was curious to give up one Cy Young guy for another especially when you know what the guy you are letting go of can do come October and unsure of the newcomer.
Despite this being Halladay's first post-season pretty much everything else is in Philadelphia's corner. They are now healthy and usually powerful bats such as Raul Ibanez are finally regaining past form. Even Lidge is turning back the clock a bit and showing flashes of his brilliant 2008 year as the closer. This will be mountain for the Reds to climb. Cincinnati has put together a formidable club that will be around for years to come. However, the first go around with a unit does not usually lead to a deep run. It takes a few years of playing together at a high level to be able to truly compete with one of the best squads the NL has seen in years.
On the bright side Cinci does not exactly have zero chance to make this a series. The Reds are very young but have a great deal of talent. They have power with NL MVP contender Joey Votto and also have an ace in the making with Edinson Volquez. This is a franchise that always can hit but now that they finally have found a descent pitching staff their offense is getting its just due and they find themselves still playing. Cordero bolsters the back end of the pen and makes contests eight innings long. Along with Volquez the Reds staff includes former curse breaking idiot Bronson Arroyo, his playoff success of the past can truly be an asset. Arroyo has acted like an extra coach to pitchers all year calming them down when needed and ensuring bad innings do not cluster out of control. While he has been the mentor on the mound, Scott Rolen has been that guy for everyone else. Rolen, a former Philly, has played in two World Series and won a ring while in St. Louis. That playoff experience can do nothing but help. Rolen knows how to hit and make the quick adjustments game to game necessary for a deep run in October.
These two managers are almost a wash. If it was not for a century old curse and a guy named Bartman the dust man would have two pennants as manager under his belt. Manuel does have two and unlike Dusty earned a championship in 2008. Manuel knows his team so well this is second nature to him at this point. Baker proved to be the perfect guy to lead the Reds into the post Griffey era and back closer to the glory days. I knew this Reds team could contend back in March but honestly did not expect this much so soon. I'm happy they are over achieving but that ends now. 90% of the Philly roster has played in a World Series, this even includes new comer and big three member Roy Oswalt from the 2005 series with Houston. The National League still goes through the city of brotherly love and it is going to take more then a nice young team to take their crown. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins will show up come playoff time, the question is will Votto, Brandon Phillips, and Jay Bruce do the same. If not this will be an easy three game sweep. If they do it may just be delaying the inevitable. I will give Votto and company a game but that's it and I'm being generous, Phillies in 4.
NL West Champion San Francisco Giants
Record: 92-70
Manager: Bruce Bochy
Last Playoff Appearance: 2003
Last World Series Appearance: 2002
Last World Series Title: 1954
Total Championships: 5
2010 MVP: Aubrey Huff
NL Wild Card Atlanta Braves
Record: 91-71
Manager: Bobby Cox
Last Playoff Appearance: 2005
Last World Series Appearance 1999
Last World Series Title 1995
Total Championships: 3
2010 MVP: Martin Prado/Jason Heyward
These two once proud franchises ended a few years of suffering and after tough battles both somehow managed to get to October. The Braves are here despite being without even one guy with an 80 rbi campaign. Their pitching has taken them here, yet much like the Rays it is more of a complete staff effort then being thanks to an ace. Hudson's 17 win season throw back is their closest thing to a top flight guy, he is not even being handed the ball to start the playoffs. That honor is being awarded to another former "idiot", Derek Lowe. This decision was pretty simple since Lowe was the winner of every series clincher for the Red Sox in their 2004 title run. He has had the most post-season success by a mile on the staff. Billy Wagner also gives Atlanta confidence in the bullpen that they have not had since John Smoltz closer days put him in the Hall of Fame. Despite the Braves pitching talent they can far from comparable to what San Fran has to offer. In front of another 40 save season for Brian Wilson the Giants bring a rotation very front heavy. In a short series that can be more then enough. Remember the Braves pennant winning days of the 90's and the reason Cox is going to Cooperstown? Yup, they were thanks to top flight starting pitching that no matter how good the team was it was nothing without the guys on the mound. Lincecum and Cain may not be Glavine, Smoltz, or Maddux in their primes but they are pretty damn close. Lincecum flirts with the Cy Young every year and while Cain lives in Tim's shadow he is the perfect side kick. These guys could shut down the Braves inconsistent offense. If they do Atlanta doesn't stand a chance
The Giants may actually be the only team to bring less offense then Atlanta. Aubrey Huff was forced to carry this team all season, however, only finished with 86 runs batted in. He has always been a great guy power hitter and is now finally getting his due. All Huff and crew will be asked to do is put up about three runs a game. If they do so the Giants will have no trouble getting rid of the Braves.
The country will be rooting for Cox in his last fall and even for Chipper to pick up a charity and second ring while on the bench, however, fan support wont win games. Both of these two teams are young and inexperienced in this position. The Giants pitching will just prove to be to much. If you love low scoring games tune in to this division series. San Francisco in 4. Farewell Bobby Cox, what a magic carpet ride of a managerial career, unfortunately it will be over soon.
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