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-Digger's Daily-

Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers. On paper this looks like a great National League Championship Series pairing. Phillies are the champs and want to repeat. Dodgers are looking for a return to glory.

We'll get to see some of baseball's biggest names trying to lead their teams. Phils have clutch hitting slugger Ryan Howard leading the way on offense. He's joined by Utley, Rollins and Worth. In LA, it's Manny Ramirez, Either and Kemp. Philly led NL with 820 runs. LA led with .270 team batting average. Both teams run the bases well too.

Pitching is where this series will be decided. It'll be Cole Hamels vs Clayton Kershaw in Game 1. Hamels dominated LA this year allowing only 2 runs (1 earned) in two starts (1-0, 0.56). On the other hand, Kershaw was hit hard by Phils lineup (0-2, 5.23). Everything changes in playoff baseball. Or, does it? Hamels gives Phillies a clear first game edge unless Kershaw can keep pace. Problematic bullpen could spoil Phils starters efforts in this series. Brad Lidge has been horrific after a stellar 2008. You never know what will happen when he takes the mound. 1-2-3 innings no more. When he enters, it's nailbiting time for Phils fans. LA's bullpen is tough to hit and seldom squanders leads.

I'll be rooting for Joe Torre's Dodgers to prevail. I don't see it happening with LA's rotation. Kershaw and Padilla going 1-2 doesn't strike me as intimidating. These two will have to pitch the best baseball of their lives or else this series could be over quickly.

Prediction: Phillies in 5 (hoping for Dodgers in 4).

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