The National League Championship Series is set, and now all we have to do is ponder over who will head to the 2008 World Series as National League Champions.  The Philadelphia Phillies are four wins away from their first World Series appearance in fifteen years, but to get there they have to beat a red hot Los Angeles Dodgers club who are looking for their first appearance in the World Series since the Kirk Gibson days of 1988.

In their fourth NLCS matchup since 1977, both teams look strong coming into Thursday night's Game 1.  The Phillies are fresh off a 3 games to 1 defeat of the Milwaukee Brewers.  The sticks came to life seemingly whenever they were in any clutch situation as Shane Victorino hit a grand slam in Game 2 to put it out of reach and Pat Burrell hit a three run blast to do the same in Game 4.  Besides the long ball, the Phillies have not shown the ability to play small ball and manufacture runs up to this point, and against this Dodger pitching staff that could be a critical factor.  In the two games against Milwaukee in which the Phillies did not hit a home run, they scored only four runs combined, one of which was the result of a bases loaded walk.
         
The Phillies have an excellent one-two punch in their starting rotation however with Cole Hamels and Brett Myers.  The ageless wonder Jamie Moyer is as crafty a veteran you will find to fill the number three spot in the rotation.  Hamels gave up no runs on only two hits in 8 innings pitched in Game 1 of the NLDS, and the following game saw Myers give up two runs on two hits in 7 innings.  That type of pitching combined with a bullpen anchored by Mr. Automatic (this year at least) Brad Lidge could possibly be what it takes to shut this powerful Dodger offense down.
         
The Dodgers are coming off a three game sweep of the Cubs where Manny Ramirez and James Loney among others helped Los Angeles put on a clinic in putting runs on the board.  Not only were the men in blue hitting bombs, but every time the Cubs' defense made a mistake, the Dodgers' bats made them pay for it.  That was definitely the case in Game 2 of the NLDS as the Cubs made four errors resulting in 10 Dodgers runs.
         
The LA pitching staff isn't lacking either.  Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda were able to hold the Cubs to just six runs scored over the three games played.  What stands out even more is their depth in the bullpen.  With Jonathan Broxton and Takashi Saito coming in in the 8th and 9th innings, opposing teams are basically given only 21 outs instead of the regular 27.  However, the emergence of Cory Wade near the end of the season cuts it down to a six inning game.
         
LA's on a roll right now at the plate, in the field, and on the mound.  They are able to take advantage of mistakes at the plate and either hit the ball into the bleachers or simply "hit it where they ain't" and string hits together.  The starting pitching looks to be on track as well, and the bullpen has arrived.  The Phillies have relied on the long ball and great starting pitching to get them this far.  If this series goes to six or seven games I think the Dodgers will have an advantage because their starters simply do not have to be on the mound as long when they give the ball to set up men starting in the seventh inning.  If the Phillies are going to have a chance, they have to jump on the starters early and start wearing down the bullpen.  It wouldn't hurt to sweep the first two games at home either.  This is definitely going to be a fun to watch, dramatic series with two teams desparate to return to the World Series.  Regardless, the Los Angeles Dodgers should take this series in six.

What are your thoughts on who will win?