NLDS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS: RED VS PHILLIES

Roy Halladay has a Hall of Fame type resume after 13 seasons but he is still missing one important accomplishment: a postseason appearance. Today El Perfecto Roy will be making his first postseason start in what surely will be his biggest of his career. The Phillies are the two-time reigning National League Champs and are the odd's on favorite in Vegas to win the National League pennant. The Reds on the other hand are making first postseason appearance since 1995. It's been way too long for the storied franchise.

The Reds will start Edinson Volquez today. He went 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA in 12 starts this season after missing all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Going against Halladay in Philly in the series opener will be a daunting task. The Reds did win 91 games this season but they really struggled the last month of the season. They have a superstar slugger in Joey Votto and an upcoming star in Jay Bruce who will both be looking to make some noise in their playoff debuts. They will not only have to face Halladay in game 1 but then they get proven playoff pitchers Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.

The Phillies come in playing outstanding baseball since the All-Star break. They have the best starting trio of pitchers and their hitting has come alive with Chase Utley and Placido Palonco returning from injuries. They won the season series 5-2 over the Reds during the regular season and I expect the same in this series.

Prediction: Phillies in 4