There can't be too many who are still doubting the Phillies after finishing off a Rockies team that was red hot going into the postseason. The Phillies won both game in Colorado and two of the three wins in the series can be attributed to late season acquisition Cliff Lee.
This team was already dangerous before acquiring Lee thanks to their potent offense, but the pitching staff is also among the best in the playoffs.
Now the Phillies eye down a series with the Dodgers. The Dodgers have to be hoping that the same thing doesn't happen this year that happened in the 2008 postseason when they defeated the Dogders four games to one.
The first game of the seven game series will be on Thursday and I would think that Cole Hammels would get the start for the Phillies, but that's not certain just yet.
The Dodgers have had plenty of rest since sweeping the Cardinals so manager Joe Torre will have the luxury of starting whoever he wants for game one. I would think he would go with Randy Wolf like he did in game one of the divisional series.
Even though the Dodgers looked solid against the Cardinals, they're still somewhat vulnerable. The starting rotation is nothing to write home about and the LA bats are hit or miss.
As for the Phillies, we already know how well they swing the bats. The x-factor in this series is Brad Lidge. He's been shaky this year but had two saves against Colorado, although he put two runners on base in each of those games.
If Lidge can return to his dominant form that he was in for the 2008 postseason, then start popping the champagne corks because the Phillies are heading back to the World Series, my friends.
Prediction: Phillies in 6
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