When » 7:30 p.m.

TV » WTTG-5 FOX HD

Radio » WTNT-570 AM

In Philadelphia tonight for Game 1 of the NLCS. Does it get any better than a pitching matchup of Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum? Not really. Expect another electric atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies swept the Reds in the NLDS while the Giants needed four games to get by Atlanta.

Few teams can match the Phillies’ playoff experience. Since the beginning of the 2008 playoffs Philadelphia is 23-9 with two National League pennants and a World Series title. Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and Chase Utley have played 33 consecutive postseason games together. That’s the longest streak for five players with one team in MLB history.

Don’t expect the Giants to be intimidated, though. Their worst starting pitching performance in the NLDS was two runs allowed in six innings by Madison Bumgarner. They believe they can match Philadelphia’s formidable starting rotation. The two teams split six games during the regular season with the road team winning each series. San Francisco also went 5-1 against the Phillies’ top three starters – Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. Their ERA against the Giants? It was a shocking 4.80. This is a different time of year, of course. But there is hope in those numbers. Let’s get it started.    

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