As a Reds fan I would love to see my Redlegs make a deep run into October. But I really think the Reds missed an opportunity to get a few more wins late in the season and now must play the hottest team in baseball the Phillies. The Phillies will run out a three man rotation of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. These guys have been straight dominant in the month of September at one point going 12-0. Not to mention that Oswalt sports something like a 23-3 all time record against the Reds while with the Astros. The season series favored the Phillies 5-2, including a four game sweep in Philly. The Reds will throw Edison Volquez, Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto. Arroyo will be the only starting pitcher for the Reds that has post season experience. I like the move by the Reds to seperate Volquez and Cueto, they both have similar stuff primarily a fastball mid-90s, curve ball and their get out pitch the change up. Volquez gets the Game 1 start, he has been extremely difficult to left handed hitters and the Phillies could have four in their lineup. Plus, Volquez has legitimate #1 stuff but is coming off Tommy John Surgery last year.
Offensively we know the kind of fireworks the Phillies can produce with the likes of Howard, Utley, Rollins, Ibanez, Polanco and my under rated guy Jason Werth. The key for the Phillies is to get consistent hitting from all the big bats. The Phillies often hits patches where the bats cooled off but their excellent pitching kept them in games. The Phillies will get to face two right handed arms from the Reds which should play into their hands with so many lefties. The Reds lead the Big Leagues in many offensive categories but they as well can go dry as a whole. Both Hamels and Halladay have thrown shutouts vs the Reds. The Reds need Brandon Phillips to come back strong in the post season and give them another threat with Votto, Rolen and Gomes. Phillips has struggled since being hit on the wrist by a fastball in San Fran last month. The Reds will also hope to get consistency from the top of the order from Drew Stubbs whose speed could be a key for the Reds to get the Phillies starters out of rythm. The Reds HAVE to score more than 3 runs to win games, they have a losing record whenn scoring less than 3 runs during the season
My Prediction: I love my Redlegs and hopefully with the core of this team being young they will get good experience and learn from this series. I do not see a way the Reds beat Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels possibly twice in a five game series. Also we just do not know what to expect from the inexperience of the Reds pitching staff. I think the Reds could score some runs but will it be enough to overcome the offensive punch of the Phillies? I just do not see it Phillies win the series 3-1. I hope I am wrong!
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