Picking a Winner in the NLDS

The time has come to pick a winner as the Phillies look to exact revenge on the Rockies in the National League Division Series.

Before we predict the future let’s take a look at the past.

Colorado swept Philly out of the playoffs in the 2007 NLDS but that was a long time ago. The Phillies have since won a World Series and kept rolling over their division this season while the Rockies suffered a losing 2008 season and struggled out of the gate this season costing longtime manager Clint Hurdle his job before they finally righted the ship to earn the Wild Card.

In 2007 the Phillies were just happy to be in the postseason. Now they treat the playoffs like another day at the office.

The Rockies on the other hand must be surprised to be here. They have a rotation of young pitchers who just seemed to all come together this year while they were able to keep most of their starting players healthy unlike last season.

This season the Rockies rode a Rocky Mountain ride to October while the Phillies methodically struck down all division foes.

But what will happen in the NLDS?

First take into account that the Phillies went 4-2 against Colorado this season -- taking two games in both Denver and Philly.

The Phillies come in with a superior rotation of former All-Stars, Cy-Young Award Winners and possibly the Rookie of the Year while the Rockies counter with All-Stars Jason Marquis and Aaron Cook along with a group of guys who throw hard.

The advantage with pitching has to go to the Phillies. We would take Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez and either J.A. Happ or Joe Blanton over Ubaldo Jimenez, Marquis, Jason Hammel and Cook.

The Phillies also have the advantage in the lineup. They balanced the left-handed power of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley with Jayson Werth on the right-handed side this season and it helped carry the trio along with Raul Ibanez to 30-plus home run seasons.

The Phillies lineup also lit up Rockies pitching this season. As a team they hit .302 while slugging .532 off Rockies pitching. Add the 31 runs, 16 doubles, two triples and nine homers and the Phillies looked like Murderer’s Row against the Rocks.

Colorado batters weren’t as successful against Phillies pitching. The batted .251 and slugged .417 while scoring 28 runs with 13 doubles, one triple and six homers.

The Rockies hitters also struggled against lefties this season (.253 average/.430 slugging) and the Phils will possibly send three to mound in this series if Happ gets the Game 3 or 4 nod.

Advantage again goes to the Phillies.

The big concern for the Phillies would be the much-maligned bullpen but the Rockies have their own issues.

Phightins’ relievers actually posted a better ERA (3.91 to 4.53), opponents’ batting average (.246 to .258) and gave up fewer homers (46 to 52) than Rockies relievers this season.

Even with Brad Lidge penciled in as the closer the Phillies still hold the advantage.

The Phillies should win this series and rather easily. The only game they might have trouble with is Thursday afternoon as Hamels heads to the hill with a 0-6 record and a 5.44 ERA in nine daytime starts this season.

“Hollywood” may struggle but we see Lee cruising in Game 1 and Pedro should be able to call back up some former postseason glory (6-2 all time with a 3.40 ERA in 13 postseason appearances) in Game 3 or 4. Also the Phillies can rest comfortably knowing that Blanton or Happ will go to the hill.

As for the X-factor the Phils bring bravado to October. They are the champs and can use their experience to beat back the Rocks who, even though they went to the World Series just two years ago, don’t have the same swagger as the Phils.

Prediction: Phillies in four games -- bring on the NLCS.

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