NL Playoffs Still Not Settled

by BigGreek24

Thursday October 1, 2009 

NL Playoffs Still Not Settled thumbnail

Okay, the inevitable became real last night as the Phillies clinched their third straight division title thanks to a 10-3 win over the Astros (although actually the Braves 5-4 loss just minutes before the end of the Phillies game gave the Phillies the division).  We now know that the Phillies and Cardinals have clinched their respective divisions and that the Dodgers are in the playoffs but are still a win from clinching the division.  We also know that if the Rockies win today the Wild Card is settled, but the Rockies could still win the West if they sweep the Dodgers this weekend.

The Phillies have a two game lead on the Cardinals and sit just a half game behind the Dodgers for the National League’s best overall record.    From a matchup standpoint the Phillies would play either the Rockies or the Dodgers.  The rule that baseball has not allowing two teams from the same division playing in an opening round series will keep the Phillies from having to play the opening series against the Cardinals -  a series that give the Phillies of issues as the Cardinals are the one team in the NL who can match the Phillies starting pitching.  Some would argue that the Cardinals trio of Carpenter, Wainwright and Piniero is better than what the Phillies would trot out there, and the Cardinals bullpen is better as well.  Offensively the Cards boast two of the games best hitters in Pujols and Holiday both of whom seem to thrive on the big stage.   The Phillies have a much better chance of beating the Cardinals in a longer seven game series than a best of five.

I don’t think anyone is afraid of facing Jason Marquis or any of the other Rockies pitchers and their lineup is nothing like the Cardinals.  The Dodgers don’t really have an ace-type pitcher.  Randy Wolf has been really good for them, but he’s no ace.   They have a good bullpen but again its not like the Cardinals.  The Dodgers have also struggled offensively of late so this might be a good time to get them in a best of five series.

So, with the weekend games just about upon us we know the Phillies are in, we just don’t know who they will be playing.  We do know it won’t be the Cardinals and that’s probably the best news Phillies fans have gotten besides winning the NL East for the third time last night.

Filed Under Phillies

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