Championship Series play starts tonight

The NLCS begins tonight with a pitching matchup of Derek Lowe against Cole Hamels. Lowe was solid in game 1 of the LDS, only giving up two runs off a two run shot by Mark DeRosa. Looking at his record against Philadelphia; he only faced the Phillies once this year, lasting six and a third and giving up three runs. Hamels pitched 14 innings against the Dodgers this year and only allowed two runs in two starts. These stats are actually somewhat important even though it is a small sample size because both starts happened after the Dodgers acquired Manny. I'm rooting for the Dodgers, but if the Phillies get their offense going, they will win tonight. The key for the Dodgers will be to get to the Phillies bullpen. The Phillies pen was the third least used bullpen during the regular season, so they may not react well to being leaned upon if the starters fail. Hamels, I think, is a lock for good starts, but Myers and Moyer will need to step up. Myers faces Billingsley in game 2, which could easily go the Dodgers way. Game 3 features Kuroda against Moyer. No other starters have been listed for the Dodgers, so it will either be Maddux or Kershaw against Blanton in game 4, and then Lowe against Hamels in game 5, if necessary.

My prediction: Dodgers in 5

The Tampa Bay story has been remarkable this year. Their best showing before this season was 70-91 in 2004 for their first non-last place finish. Every other year they have finished dead last in the east and either lost 100 or come really close. This year, however, they came very close to winning 100 and actually held off the Yankees and Red Sox for the AL East title. They got to the playoffs because of starting pitching--second best starter's ERA in the American League, an excellent bullpen--third best ERA, and the ability to correctly use both--Tampa starters accounted 66.78% of the total innings pitched, sixth in the majors. Their offense leaves a little to be desired, but they turned it up in the divisional series. Boston seems to overmatch the Rays, but Tampa leads the season series 10-8. Boston rolled over the Angels because LA couldn't score many of the runners that got on base, but the Sox won't be so lucky this time around. They had a 1.46 WHIP against the Angels, with only a 2.54 ERA; that comparison seems unsustainable. Game 1 features a matchup of Jamie Shields and Daisuke Matsuzaka. Daisuke has much more success against the Rays than Shields does against the Red Sox, but I think it won't matter. Game 2 features Kazmir against Beckett. Game 3 will give Garza against Lester. Wakefield gets his first start of the postseason in game 4 against Andy Sonnanstine. With all these really even matchups, I think the bullpens willbe the deciding factor in this series.

My prediction: Tampa Bay in 7