The Brewers find themselves in unfamiliar territory, having reached the playoffs for the first time in the last 26 years. After barely beating out the Mets for the final National League playoff spot, Milwaukee heads back to Philadelphia, where they were recently swept in a four-game series from Sept. 11-14.

In that series, the Brewers were outscored 26-7 and were in the middle of firing their manager, Ned Yost. Since then, Milwaukee has won seven of 12 games, riding their newly acquired ace, CC Sabathia.

The Phillies edged out the Mets to take the N.L. East crown for the second consecutive year. Powered by Ryan Howard in the month of September, the Phillies will look to use their bats and trusty 'pen to win the series. Let it be known that the Phillies took the season series from the Brewers, 5-1.

The Brewers are very inexperienced and owe their playoff berth to one man, Mr. Sabathia. After pitching a complete game, four-hitter last Sunday to will the Brew Crew into the NLDS, Sabathia looks to start Game Two of the series once again on three days' rest, the fourth time he will have done so in his past four starts.

Is this guy Superman? The Brewers starting rotation is in shambles outside of Sabathia. The loss of All-Star Game starter, and 13-game winner, Ben Sheets could prove costly. Sheets will be lost for at least the Divisional Series, if not the entire playoffs, with elbow problems.

He was quoted as saying, "I got a broke arm, I got a broke arm. It's not really broke, but it's all I had for the year. Things definitely don't look like they're on my side." Broke or not broke, that’s terrible news for Brewers fans. Milwaukee will turn to Yovani Gallardo in Game One of the series, in hopes that the youngster has regained all his strength from a midseason injury. Gallardo (67 pitches) pitched very well last Thursday, in his first start since May 1.

In six games against the Phillies this year, the Brewers were outhit (.299 to .206), outscored (33 to 16), and walked eight fewer times than Philadelphia. Comparing season totals, however, the two teams have very similar offensive stats.

Philadelphia had the slight edge in most categories, including batting, runs scored, home runs, and OBP to name a few. Neither Sabathia nor Gallardo faced the Phillies this year, giving a slight advantage to both those two.

However, possible third starters Jeff Suppan/Manny Parra both got lit up. In his one start against Philadelphia, Parra allowed five earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched, while Suppan was 0-1 in two starts with a 5.91 ERA. I don’t even want to get started with the Brewers' bullpen, and their closer Salomon Torres, who, although reliable in the regular season, is anybodies guess come playoff time.

The Phillies head into the playoffs having won 13 of their last 16 games. Ryan Howard is unconscious at the plate, and starters Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Jamie Moyer are all rested and sharp.

After hitting a putrid .168 in the first month of the season, Howard turned in on in the second half, more specifically in September, hitting .352 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in only 88 at-bats.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?