By Peter Sblendorio
Sports Editor

While both the Phillies and Giants have strong hitters in their lineups, the 2010 NCLS will be dictated by the performances of each team’s pitching staffs.

The Phillies, who swept Reds in the NLDS last week, feature the league’s most dynamic trio of pitchers of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels.

Halladay, who won 20 games in his first ever National League season in 2010, made perhaps the most impressive playoff debut in MLB history. Halladay pitched a complete game no-hitter, with only one player on the Reds reaching base on a walk.

Oswalt, who would be the number one pitcher on half of the teams in baseball, has won 20 games twice in his career and follows Halladay. Lastly, Hamels, who pitched to a 4-0 record in the 2008 playoffs to lead the team to a World Series title, threw a complete game shutout in his NLDS start.

The Giants rotation is just as good as the Phillies’, however, as they boast twice reigning NL Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum as the head of their staff. Lincecum was dynamic against the Braves in the NLDS, throwing a complete game shut out and striking out 14.

Following Lincecum is Matt Cain, who has been perhaps the Giants most consistent pitcher in 2010. Cain, who did not allow a run in 6.2 innings in his first postseason start, has pitched at least 200 innings in each of the last four years and posted an ERA of 3.76 or lower each year. These two are followed by Jonathon Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner, a pair of promising young lefties that boast serious strikeout ability.

In a series that features big bats such as Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey, pitching will be key for either team to win.