Atlanta Braves
Who are they?
The Once and (possibly) Future Champions. The Braves dominated the National League through most of the 90s and a part of the last decade, but the Bravos have slumped a bit as of late. Maybe you can blame this on the rise of the Phillies to the position of Beast of the (NL) East, but either way the Braves are looking to restake their claim as the cream of the National League.
Player to watch.
Man do I wish I could say Chipper Jones here, but the third baseman has been out for much of the second half of the season and wont' make an appearance in the playoffs. So, we're going to go with rookie phenom Jason Heyward. The next obvious choice? Maybe, but Heyward has had a very good season as a rookie (.277/18/72) and it'll be interesting to see how this stud can perform in the playoffs.
Why you should want them to win?
This is legendary Atlanta manager Bobby Cox's last season. There may be no better way to send the man out then on top as World Series Champions.
Why they might win.
Like most of the playoff teams this year, Atlanta has solid pitching. But they also have an ace up their sleeve with rookie reliever Kenny Powers who may be the Jesus figure we all perceive him to be.
Why they'll lose.
Injuries have forced the Bravos to float around some of their infielders to fill in the gaps. The lack of continuity was clear in their last regular season series against the Phillies when fielding errors were an issue.
Random fact.
This guy used to be the Braves mascot.Cincinnati Reds
Who are they?
The Big Surprise. No one really expected the Reds to win the NL Central that the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols have dominated for the last decade, but here we are with the Reds ready to make their first playoff appearance since 1995.
Player to watch.
Joey Votto. This NL MVP candidate is a guy that I can tell you almost nothing about without having to do some intense research, so yeah. I'm sure if you watch any of these games the commentators won't shut up about him, so you should do that. Go Joey Votto!
Why you should want them to win.
Not only have the Reds been irrelevant over the last few years, but they come from one of the hardest divisions in baseball to win. The NL Central sports 6 teams in its divisions while all other teams have 5 (except for the AL West, which only has four); it's true. Seems unfair right? Well, the NL Central does have the Pirates and they barely counts as a team. So maybe it is even. Either way, the Reds need to take advantage of their postseason ticket before St. Louis remembers next year that they're the class of the division.
Why they might win.
They have a pitcher whose first name is Bronson! What a bro.
Why they'll lose.
They play in Cincinnati. Yuck.
Random fact.
I just found out that Joey Votto is Canadian. That's disappointing.
Philadelphia Phillies
Who are they?
The Dynasty in the Making. Four straight NL East titles, two-time defending NL Pennant winners, and 2008 World Series Champions. What's that tell you? That these guys are damn good and probably won't stop. Prepare for all the "dynasty" talk as the Phils make their way through the playoffs. Also prepare for the drunken shenanigans of their fans.
Player to watch.
Roy Halladay. One of the most dominating pitchers in the Majors since 2002, Halladay is getting his first taste of postseason play. Forced to pitch for the Blue Jays (perhaps as punishment for a misdeed in a past life) in the brutal AL East for over a decade, "Doc" finally made his way to a winning team with a chance to win it all. He already boasts a Cy Young Award from his time in Toronto (and may win a second this year), but without a World Series ring he becomes the Dan Marino of baseball - getting captured by a cross-dressing former catcher and, along with the Phanatic, needing to be rescued by Jim Carrey in a Hawaiian shirt. Hilarity ensues. [Editor's note: Halladay pitched only the second no-hitter in playoff history Wednesday night against the Reds. Wow am I smart.]
Why you should want them to win.
Because if they lose this will happen, but if they win this will happen.
Why they might win.
This guy. This guy. And maybe even this guy.
Why they'll lose.
My roommate is a huge Phillies fan.
Random fact.
June 23, 1971, Phillies right-hander Rick Wise pitches a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, Hitting two home runs and becoming the fourth Phillie to pitch a no-hitter - and the only one to do it wearing glasses. Ha, made you learn something.
San Francisco Giants
Who are they?
The Pitching Team. Two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum has not been as dominating as he was the past two seasons, but he's still one of the best. Matt Cain has shown that he has the ability to get it done (going 3-0 with 29 strikeouts and a 2.19 ERA in September), and Jonathan Sanchez has come into his own as the second best arm in this team's rotation. This team doesn't need a lot of run production to get the job done.
Player to watch.
The offense. I have faith in the pitching staff's ability to do their thing, but if no one in the lineup can get on base on hit successfully in a scoring situation, this team may find itself on the wrong side of a few 1-0 or 2-1 pitching duels. The bats need to come alive for the Giants if they have any hope of going deep in the playoffs, let alone winning themselves a ring.
Why you should want them to win.
The Giants haven't won a playoff game since Barry Bonds was with the team. A World Series title (something the team hasn't accomplished since leaving New York in the 50s) in the pitching-strong, post-Bonds era would be a great way for the franchise and the city to erase the memories of a roided-up egomaniac that's currently under indictment from the U.S. government and move on to a bright future.
Why they might win.
Pitching, pitching, pitching. The starting rotation for the Giants is absolutely stacked and their reliever is a Beach Boy. That's good enough for me.
Why they'll lose.
As much as I've complimented their pitching staff, the Phillies have a better rotation.
Random fact.
Their third baseman is a Panda.
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