NLCS Preview: Why the Phillies Will Beat the Dodgers

"I have absolutely zero faith in the Los Angeles Dodgers. None whatsoever."

"I expect the Cardinals to own the Dodgers in the NLDS."

"This isn't going to be much of a series, at all.

Cardinals over Dodgers in 3"

-- Me, October 6

Everybody is wrong now and then. Sometimes, though, you're so wrong that all you can do is man up, face the music and move on. The Los Angeles Dodgers left me stunned by sweeping my World Series pick out of the playoffs in three games. The Phillies allowed me to keep some of my dignity by defeating the Colorado Rockies in their NLDS.

These two teams met in the 2008 NLCS and it wasn't pretty as the Phillies won in five games. As a fan of the New York Mets, nothing would make me happier at this point of the baseball season than to see the Dodgers get some revenge and make their way to the World Series. I just don't see it, though.

I've mentioned numerous times before that I am a graduate from Penn State. My time there allowed me to meet and become friends with many Philadelphia sports fans. Naturally, I asked them to tell me why the Phillies are going to win their second straight NLCS. With that said, this NLCS preview will be different than any other you'll read on Associated Content. Here is why the Philadelphia Phillies will win the 2009 NLCS as told to me by Phillies fanatics.

Reason 1 the Phillies will beat the Dodgers in the NLCS: Starting pitching

This is actually quite ironic as I said the exact same thing about the Dodgers-Cardinals NLDS. I can't say it enough, though. Cliff Lee has been waiting to pitch in a championship series his entire career. Thus far in the postseason, he's 2-0 with an ERA of 1.10 and a WHIP of 0.86. He's struck out ten. As my buddy Pete put it, Cole Hamels will be better in the NLCS as his wife "won't be spitting out babies" during the series. J.A. Happ was shaky against the Rockies and he barely faced the Dodgers this year. Getting to Happ is a must if the Dodgers are to win this NLCS.

Reason 2 the Phillies will beat the Dodgers in the NLCS: You like hitting? The Phillies got hitting

After four games in the 2009 baseball postseason, seven Phillies are batting over .300. The Phils hit four homers and scored 20 runs against the Rockies. I'm fairly confident that by the time I'm done typing this sentence, Jayson Werth will have hit a home run and drove in three more RBI. This man is a monster.

Reason 3 the Phillies will beat the Dodgers in the NLCS: Is Brad Lidge back?

Lidge made two appearances in the NLDS. In 1.1 innings, Lidge allowed only two runners (both BB), he struck out a batter and didn't allow a run. He saved games three and four for the Phillies. Yeah, the Dodgers rocked Lidge during the regular season. In 2009, Lidge faced the Dodgers four times. In those games, he gave up five runs (three earned), eight hits and a homer. The Dodgers hit ..421 against him. This is the NLCS, though. Not the regular season. Dodgers fans should be nervous about Lidge getting into a rhythm as the weather gets colder.

Reason 4 the Phillies will beat the Dodgers in the NLCS: Did I mention the weather?

Living out east, I can tell you that it's far too cold for the middle of October. It's actually a few degrees colder in Philadelphia than it is here. When any east coast team faces any west coast team in cold temperatures, you almost always have to go with the east coast team. The Phillies may only need to win one game on the road to win this series.

Trust me, Dodger faithful. I'm hoping that you guys can come back and rub this one in my face. I've got to go with my Philly friends on this one, though. It should be a great series.

Phillies over Dodgers in 6