Phillies vs. Brewers

SCHEDULE (best-of-five series)

Wednesday: Milwaukee at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Thursday: Milwaukee at Philadelphia, 4 p.m.

Saturday: Philadelphia at Milwaukee, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday: Philadelphia at Milwaukee*, TBA

Tuesday: Milwaukee at Philadelphia*, TBA

All games on TBS; * if needed

OFFENSE

Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Mike Cameron, J.J. Hardy and Corey Hart give the Brewers one of the deepest and most powerful lineups in the National League — except that the Phillies hit more homers and scored more runs than the Brewers this year. Advantage: Phillies

DEFENSE

Nobody's tougher on base stealers than the Brewers, who are terrific up the middle with catcher Jason Kendall, shortstop J.J. Hardy, and center fielder Mike Cameron. The Phillies aren't bad defensively, but the Brewers rate as one of the best in the league. Advantage: Brewers

STARTING PITCHING

CC Sabathia has a case for NL MVP, but he also has a history of struggling in the playoffs, and he has thrown nearly 400 more pitches than any other playoff qualifier. And Ben Sheets' absence is a killer, and Yovani Gallardo making his first start since May in game one speaks volumes. Advantage: Phillies

BULLPEN

This might be the Phillies' biggest advantage. The Brewers are depleted, depending on Eric Gagne to return to the dominant form he showed, ahem, before MLB's stricter drug testing. This is one reason they've ridden Sabathia so hard. Meanwhile, Brad Lidge is a perfect 41-for-41 in save chances this season and the Phils' 3.22 bullpen ERA is the best in the NL. Advantage: Phillies

BOTTOM LINE

Milwaukee pitching allowed the most home runs in the NL, and Philadelphia batters hit the most in the NL. That the first two games are at Citizens Bank Bandbox only add to the potential damage. The Brewers spent a lot of energy just to get here, while the Phillies are still peeved about being swept by Colorado last year. Phillies in three

3 REASONS THE PHILLIES CAN WIN

1. This very well could be the peak of the Brewers' season. Sabathia has to wear down at some point, and Milwaukee is far less imposing without Sheets. Philly may be catching the Brewers at their metaphorical exhale.