This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Roy Halladay wasted little time impressing his new baseball team and Philadelphia fans. On opening day, the new Phillies ace mowed down the Washington Nationals to earn the first of his 21 wins in 2010.
Not long after "Doc's" successful debut, Halladay also threw the first of the season's two perfect games. There's little doubt that 2010 will be known in Major League Baseball as the year of the pitcher, a storyline that should extend into the postseason.
Halladay, CC Sabathia, Tim Lincecum, Francisco Liriano, David Price, Troy Hudson, Bronson Arroyo and Cliff Lee are the pitching aces who are ready to make some postseason noise.
Halladay's overwhelming success coming from Toronto also leads into another storyline. Can the Phillies, who own arguably the best starting staff in baseball, win their second World Series in three years? Such a feat would vault the team into a special category.
"We have a very good sense of what's going on around here," said Philadelphia right fielder Jason Werth. "We know what we're doing. We know what's at stake."
The Phillies beat Tampa Bay in 2008 but lost to the New York Yankees last year. Many are predicting a rematch of last year's finale. First, the Yankees must get past the Minnesota Twins.
Despite the loss of first baseman Justin Morneau in July to a concussion, the Twins roared to a 45-18 record between July 15 and Sept. 21 to capture their sixth AL Central Division title in nine seasons.
"Within this clubhouse, we know what we're capable of doing," Minnesota center fielder Denard Span said. "We like our chances and how we match up with other teams. We feel like we can play in the playoffs with the Yankees and some of the other big teams. I feel like we're as deep as we've been in the last couple years — from the bullpen to the bench, even to our starting lineup."
Also, Minnesota really didn't need the Metrodome. Fundamentals and teamwork worked just as well in Target Field, where the Twins hold home-field advantage in the best-of-five series with the Yankees.
The series also features probably the most important Game 1. Everything will turn on Liriano's performance against New York's slugging lineup and 21-game winner Sabathia.
Maybe the Atlanta-San Francisco opener is just as important for the Braves.
More storylines include Atlanta and its manager, Bobby Cox, in his final year. The Braves, in their 15th postseason with Cox, overcame myriad injuries to qualify as the wild card on the season's final day.
Do the Braves have enough to beat a San Francisco team that struggled offensively but won behind the great pitching? Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez were part of a staff whose earned-run average in September was less than 2.00.
The postseason makes or break reputations. Halladay came to the Phillies specifically to pitch in the playoffs. Already known as one of the best ever, Halladay would complete his résumé with a World Series championship.
Playoff rookies
Three Rookie of the Year candidates will play vital roles for their teams in the playoffs. Catcher Buster Posey guided a talented San Francisco pitching staff, while hitting better than .300. Hard-throwing Texas closer Neftali Feliz saved 40 games. Atlanta outfielder Jason Heyward homered in his first at-bat of his impressive rookie campaign.
Bobby Cox
The Atlanta Braves manager is in his 16th postseason, counting one with Toronto in 1985. Cox's one knock has been managing just one World Series champion, Atlanta in 1995. A manager's job is to negotiate his team through 162 games. After that, it's all on the players. The Braves will fall short, but what a final year for Cox who had to use tape and glue to keep his team together.
National League favorites
San Francisco, with its great pitching, is a close second. Philadelphia, with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, matches the Giants' pitching with the best lineup in the National League. The Phillies are strong one through seven and should emerge to play in their third straight World Series.
American League favorites
New York, Minnesota and Texas can pound any staff into submission. Tampa Bay struggled at times offensively this season, and their MVP candidate, third baseman Evan Longoria, spent the last two weeks on the shelf. All four teams have a quality No. 1 pitcher. Minnesota, however, has been the most consistent, has the best bullpen and should play in its first World Series since 1991.
World Series winner
Philadelphia in seven. —
Today's games
P Texas at Tampa Bay, 11:30 a.m.
• Cincinnati at Philadelphia, 3 p.m.
• N.Y. Yankees at Minnesota, 6:30 p.m.
Note • All games on TBS