Home

NLCS preview: Brewers vs. Cardinals

08.10.11

Since come up training, the eventual outcome in the National Fraternity appeared to be a foregone conclusion. The Philadelphia Phillies would amble away with the pennant, relatively unchallenged—and certainly wouldn't be threatened by a cooperate that snuck into the postseason through the back door. But here we are, with an NLCS featuring the undomesticated-card St. Louis Cardinals and the NL Central-against Milwaukee Brewers.

1. Milwaukee's 1-2 pierce

The Brewers have the best pair of hitters in the playoffs, with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder impressive fear into opposing pitchers. Braun was a side-splitting 9-for-18 in the NLDS and although Fielder was just 5-for-18, he remained a equanimity. The two punished the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first two games of the NLDS, but the Diamondbacks were bonus cautious with them after that. In 17 regular season games this enliven, Braun was just 16-for-71 (.225) against the Cardinals. Fielder was degree better, going 14-for-60 (.233) with a .417 on-station percentage in 18 games. They combined for five homers and 18 RBIs.

Source: SportingNews.com

Serious decisions loom for the Philadelphia Phillies

09.10.11

As Ryan Howard laid sprawled on the ground Friday twilight after making the Phillies’ last out of the season for the support year in a row, it was hard to miss the symbolic purport that the Phillies’ dynasty was collapsed in a aggregation as well.

When you step back from the disappointment of the loss to St. Louis and assess the magical run this get has taken over the last five years, it has been nothing short of sensational. Yet they only have one Humanity Series title to show for it, and while the euphoria of 2008 may have bought the Phillies a beautify period by some of their long-suffering fans, the collaborate’s failure to repeat the merriment of that wonderful October could be starting to dress in on the faithful.

Reality is setting in, and the cold laboriously facts suggest that age and the infirmities it brings will in short order rear its ugly head.

Howard, for occurrence, could be lost for the entire upcoming season depending on the strictness revealed on his Achilles tendon by an MRI. Chase Utley has been hampered by injuries in each of the last four seasons. Jimmy Rollins, whose prepared is speed, has been curtailed by leg woes each of the past two seasons. Placido Polanco has burnt- two injury-laden seasons in the Phillies pinstripes.

Source: The Times of Trenton - NJ.com