Yesterday the San Francisco Giants came from behind to beat the Braves 3-2 and advance to the National League Championship Series. It was their second such victory in as many days and the fourth one run game of the four game series.
The path for the Philadelphia Phillies was far smoother. Roy Halladay threw the second post-season no-hitter of all-time, and Cole Hamels tossed a five-hit shutout as the Phillies easily swept the Cincinnati Reds.
This series will mark the first time these two teams have met in the playoffs and we should be in for fireworks. Both teams have deep rotations filled with proven pitchers, and both teams have areas of weakness.
While San Francisco’s line-up produced the fewest runs of any playoff team and lack a true middle of the order presence, Philadelphia has a bullpen full of talented pitchers who have struggled in the clutch. So who will win this epic match up? Read on for a game by game analysis.