Cardinals vs. Phillies: 5 Reasons Philadelphia Will Defeat St. Louis in Game 5

The Philadelphia Phillies lost Game 4 of the NLDS to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday and now a final, decisive game of the series will be played Friday in Philadelphia.

Both teams face elimination and, in this case, I believe the home team will come out on top and advance to the NLCS.

Here are five reasons why Philly will defeat St. Louis in Game 5 and move one step closer to a World Series title.

Roy Halladay

If I was only allowed to give one reason why the Phillies will win Friday, Roy Halladay would be the answer. 

Halladay is arguably the most consistent and dominant pitcher in all of baseball and just like his win in Game 1 of the NLDS, I fully expect "Doc" to repeat and shut down the Cardinals.

The Phillies need seven strong innings out of their true ace and if he can be his dominant self, there is no question in my mind the Phillies will be partying in the locker room with champagne on Friday night.

Jimmy Rollins

Who could have expected such a great postseason showing out of Jimmy Rollins this October?

In the four games of the series so far, Rollins is 9-for-16 for a .562 average with two stolen bases. This was exactly what the Phillies needed out of their veteran star in these playoffs after a lackluster regular season.

Rollins has had at least two hits per game in the NLDS and I do not see him slowing down until he has a another ring on his finger.

The Bullpen Will Be Dominant

With Roy Halladay starting Game 5 for Philadelphia, the Phillies can expect at least seven innings out of their ace. This means the Phillies shouldn't have to use very much of their bullpen.

Assuming Halladay can get the Phillies through seven, Philadelphia will only need a pitcher for the eighth and ninth innings to finish off the game. In other words, Philly only has to put Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson on the mound.

Lidge hasn't allowed a run in two innings so far in the playoffs and Madson has a save and has allowed just one run. These two are as dependable as they come and will shine on Friday if they are given the call.

Chris Carpenter Will Get Pounded Again

Chris Carpenter pitched in Game 2 of the series on just three days rest and was pounded for four runs in three innings. Carpenter is now pitching on Friday on just four days' rest.

Carpenter is starting his third game in just over a week and he has already pitched an entire season for St. Louis. He will be tired and when pitchers get fatigued, they become less efficient on the mound.

He may be the ace of the Cardinals, but he is set to get rocked by the Phillies' offense once again.

Ryan Howard Will Step Up

Ryan Howard has been a disappointment so far in the 2011 playoffs.

The slugger has just two hits for a .133 average and one home run. He was non-existent in Games 3 and 4, and Philadelphia cannot afford to have their power hitter sleeping in the playoffs.

I predict Howard will use the home crowd in Philly as fuel and have a big day offensively in Game 5. He is a sleeping giant and he will awaken and destroy the Cardinals' pitching.

I strongly believe that Philadelphia is destined for greatness this October and it's because of these five reasons that the Phillies will move onto the NLCS.