NYaT Roundtable: National League Championship Series Picks

Well that was an exciting first round, eh? A no hitter, comeback wins, heroes, goats, umpire mistakes--everything. But now that we've gotten done with the first round, it's time to pick the pennant winners. We'll start today with the National League:

Will Halladay add an NLCS MVP to 2010? (ModBee)

Ben W: Phillies will win this series but the Giants will certainly be a bigger challenge than the Reds. The Phillies hitters will see much better starting pitching than they saw against the Reds and since their bats have been relatively cold, this series will be a challenge. However, don't be surprised if you see Roy Halladay start three times during this series. They will have to out-pitch the Giants to win this series, which will be difficult but they would be the favorites to do so. Phillies in 7 - Series MVP: Roy Halladay

Jay: Everyone seems to be on the Philly bandwagon right now. I'm not quite there yet. Everyone is raving about how dominant the Phillies' rotation is. Yes, Roy Halladay threw an amazing no-hitter, and yes, Cole Hamels was outstanding in Game 3. But Tim Lincecum (9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 14 K, 1 BB) and Jonathan Sanchez (7.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 11 K, 1 BB) were similarly dominant, albeit against Atlanta's weaker bats. So I don't see Philadelphia having a tremendous pitching advantage over San Francisco. I think Halladay will slightly edge out Lincecum in Game 1, but after that I just don't know. What I do know is that the Giants' offense (4 games, 28 hits, scored 8 earned runs), as much as it has been criticized, wasn't that much worse than the Phillies' offense in the LDS (3 games, 21 hits, scored 7 earned runs). So are the Phillies that much stronger offensively? I say no. But having home-field advantage, and 2-possibly-3 starts from Roy Halladay, gives the Phillies the edge in seven games. Phillies in 7 - Series MVP: Roy Halladay

Ben P: The Giants might be able to pitch with the Phillies but they certainly can't hit with them. Phillies in 5 - Series MVP: Jayson Werth

Elissa: I think the Giants will be able to scrape together one game, but unfortunately I think we're going to see another Yankees - Phillies World Series. Game 1 will be interesting to say the least. I can't even begin to try to predict the winner of the Halladay - Lincecum match-up. It's anyone's guess who wins that game. Other than that, I think the Giants' pitchers match up well against the Phillies' pitchers in most areas except experience. The Phillies have two pitchers that have pitched deep into the playoffs while the Giants have a young rotation that doesn't have much deep postseason experience. Although this series looks to be about pitching, someone's going to have to score, and I think the Phillies will be able to put some runs up on the board. The Giants just don't have anyone to rival Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jayson Werth. Phillies in 5 - Series MVP: Roy Halladay

Ari: I'm being kind and giving the Giants a game, though I don't really see them even winning one. San Fran's offense can't compete against Halladay, Oswalt (who will be better) and Hamels. Phillies in 5 - Series MVP: Roy Halladay

Sarah: Giants had a good season, they just can't compete. The Giants have no chance against the Phillies. Phillies in 5 - Series MVP: Roy Halladay

My Opinion: The Giants are in trouble. The Phillies are hitting and pitching and that's scary news for anyone in their path. Next in their path are the San Francisco Giants. This is a good Giants team but anyone who watched their series with the Braves that it was as much about the Braves beating themselves (see: Conrad, Brooks) as the Giants doing anything positive. The Giants stack up very well on the pitching side, but besides catcher, I'm not sure there's a position on the diamond where the Giants have a glaring hitting advantage. And don't discount postseason experience: the Phillies have won the past two National League pennants while the San Francisco Giants have won two pennants since the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The one place where the Giants seemed to have an advantage on the Phillies coming into the playoffs was closer but although Giants closer Brian Wilson didn't give up an earned run, he allowed his two inherited runners and allowed a third unearned run to score in Game 2, blowing the save. Like most of my fellow bloggers, I'll give the Giants a game--but that's about it. Phillies in 5 - Series MVP: Chase Utley.

So what do you think? Do you give the Giants a chance? Do you disagree with the NYaT roundtable and think the Giants will take the series? Let us know in the comments below.