Phillies-Rockies scouting report

Phillies: Shane Victorino/Jayson Werth. After Victorino was hurt in Chicago in late July, Werth went on a tear that helped keep the Phillies afloat. When Werth cooled off, Victorino came back to add some spark to the lineup with his speed. And while Werth can throw runners out, Victorino's arm makes third-base coaches think before even trying to send runners home.

ADVANTAGE: ROCKIES

STARTING PITCHING

Rockies: LHP Jeff Francis, LHP Franklin Morales, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP Josh Fogg. The key is how the younger guys, Morales and Jimenez, react to postseason pressure. Both pitched well after being called up from the minors, but are inexperienced. Morales has only eight career starts in the big leagues and Jimenez 16. Francis doesn't have overpowering stuff, but knows how to pitch. Fogg is a journeyman who earned the nickname "Dragonslayer" this year for an uncanny ability beat the opposing team's ace.

Phillies: LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Kyle Kendrick, LHP Jamie Moyer, RHP Kyle Lohse. The Phillies were able to line up their rotation as they wanted it, meaning Hamels could start two games if needed. Kendrick opened the season at Double A Reading, but has been unflappable all season. Moyer and Lohse are veterans who have pitched in big games before.

ADVANTAGE: PHILLIES

BULLPEN

Rockies: Manny Corpas (closer), Brian Fuentes, Jeremy Affeldt, LaTroy Hawkins, Ryan Speier. Corpas was 19-for-20 in save opportunities after replacing Fuentes as the closer on July 7. Fuentes bounced back, however and allowed only three runs in his last 20 appearances. Affeldt is unscored on in his last seven outings and Speier has retired 12 of the last 15 batters he's faced. The bullpen is deep, which helps explain why Colorado was 74-1 when leading after eight innings this season.

Phillies: Brett Myers (closer), Tom Gordon, J.C. Romero. It has already become part of Phillies lore, the way Romero, Gordon and Myers pitched almost every day down the stretch as the Phillies closed with a 13-4 rush to overhaul the Mets and win the NL East. The question is whether they can continue that effectiveness into the playoffs, especially the 39-year-old Gordon, who has battled shoulder problems for more than a year. And if manager Charlie Manuel uses any other relievers, the game might well be out of hand anyway.

ADVANTAGE: ROCKIES

 HAGEN'S SERIES PREDICTION: Phillies in 5.