PHILADELPHIA VS. MILWAUKEE

* Keys to the series: Neither team has a .300 hitter in the starting lineup so this matchup probably figures to be decided with power and pitching -- and Philadelphia has an edge in both departments. After workhorse CC Sabathia, who pitched the Brewers into the postseason, Milwaukee’s rotation is extremely shaky -- not a good thing going against the team that led the league in homers (214) and finished second in runs scored (799). Half the players in the Phillies’ regular lineup had 24 or more homers, led by Ryan Howard, who topped the majors in homers (48) and RBI (146). The Brewers can mash too but Philadelphia should be able limit that damage if they can contain Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. The Phillies’ big advantage is on the mound, especially in the bullpen, where Philadelphia’s relief crops had the NL’s best ERA at 3.19 and second-most wins with 33. And closer Brad Lidge has been unbeatable, going 2-0 and 1.95 ERA while converting all 41 of his save chances. Milwaukee, meanwhile, tried a number of arms at the back of its bullpen on its way to blowing 26 saves.

-- Kevin Baxter

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*--* PROJECTED LINEUP P BREWERS AVG HR RBI CF Cameron 243 25 70 3B Hall 225 15 55 LF Braun 285 37 106 1B Fielder 276 34 102 SS Hardy 283 24 74 RF Hart 268 20 91 2B Weeks 234 14 46 C Kendall 246 2 49 P Yovani 111 0 0 *--*

*--* PROJECTED LINEUP P PHILLIES AVG HR RBI SS Rollins 277 11 59 2B Utley 292 33 104 RF Werth 273 24 67 1B Howard 251 48 146 LF Burrell 250 33 86 CF Victorino 293 14 58 3B Felix 249 14 58 C Ruiz 219 4 31 P Hamels 224 0 3 *--*

* Game 1: Today, noon

Milwaukee (Yovani Gallardo, 0-0, 1.88) at Philadelphia (Cole Hamels, 14-10, 3.09)

* Game 2: Thursday, 3 p.m.

Milwaukee (CC Sabathia, 11-2, 1.65) at Philadelphia (Brett Myers, 10-13, 4.55)

* Game 3: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Philadelphia (Jamie Moyer, 16-7, 3.71)

at Milwaukee (Dave Bush, 9-10, 4.18 or Jeff Suppan, 10-10, 4.96)

* Game 4: Sunday, TBA

Philadelphia (Joe Blanton, 4-0, 4.20) at Milwaukee (TBA)*

* Game 5: Tuesday, TBA

Milwaukee (CC Sabathia, 11-2, 1.65) at Philadelphia (Cole Hamels, 14-10, 3.09)*

Best-of-five series, all times Pacific

*if necessary