Pitching: Both teams have some decisions to make with regard to their rotations. Cole Hamels started Game 3 of the NLDS for the Phillies, but he had better results (a five-hit shutout) than Game 2 starter Roy Oswalt (four runs in five innings) and has struggled at AT&T Park, allowing at least four runs in all four of his career starts there (including a no-decision in April when he allowed four runs in six innings with 10 strikeouts). Oswalt has pitched well in each of his last three starts in San Francisco, allowing six runs in 23 innings.
Meanwhile, Giants NLDS Game 2 starter Matt Cain allowed five runs (two earned) in six innings in an 8-2 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in August. That same series, Game 3 starter Jonathan Sanchez held the Phillies to one run on two hits in eight innings of a 5-2 win.
One thing seems certain: A matchup of the ages in Game 1 between two-time defending Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and 2010 frontrunner Roy Halladay. The Giants also feature rookie lefty Madison Bumgarner, who could match up well with the Phillies.
Offense: The Giants have struggled at times this season, finishing ninth in the NL in runs scored and second-to-last in stolen bases. They do have some weapons, including rookie catcher Buster Posey (.305 average, .862 OPS, 18 home runs in 108 games), first baseman Aubrey Huff (.290, .891, 26 HR) and, of course, former Phillie Pat Burrell (.266, .872, 18 HR).
