MLB Playoffs 2011: Cardinals Have What it Takes to Unseat Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have to be considered the favorites to come out of the National League as we head into the postseason. Their starting rotation depth is unmatched and their offense is good enough to give that staff more than adequate cushion.

The St. Louis Cardinals have to be considered lucky to be in the postseason. They were 10.5 games out on Aug. 28. They played really well down the stretch, but it also took a historic collapse from the Atlanta Braves to get them there.

Quite frankly, what is keeping some heat off the Braves is the fact that the Red Sox collapsed in a more spectacular fashion, as hard as that is to believe.

The Cardinals might be feeling lucky to be in the playoffs, but that doesn't mean that they should just feel happy to be there. They have what it takes to beat the Phillies.

For starters, the Cardinals had the regular-season edge over Philadelphia. They had the advantage six games to three. That's an admittedly small sample size, but that's what the playoffs are, too.

It's easy to get wrapped up in how much talent the Phillies have. They are so good in the rotation that they may not even need Roy Oswalt to start. Vance Worley—a legitimate rookie of the year candidate—will probably be used out of the bullpen, and solid starter Joe Blanton won't even sniff a start.

That's to say nothing of a powerful offense led by Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Hunter Pence.

It's important to remember, though, that talent is only part of the equation. In the playoffs, momentum has just as much to do with a team having success.

That's something else the Cardinals have on their side. They made a great run to get into the postseason and they played their best baseball when it mattered most: in the last series of the season.

The Phillies haven't been playing poorly down the stretch, but they have had the NL East all but locked up for the last month. They have been able to coast to the finish line. I'm not saying they took their foot off the gas, but they will certainly have to turn it up several notches from where they were to be successful in the playoffs.

The Cardinals also have the feel of a team with great chemistry. Many around baseball—particularly those that support stat-based analysis—dismiss chemistry, but I think it matters.

The Cardinals were getting hammered in the media and by fans for blowing saves and not being able to produce enough offense. Through it all, they kept playing hard for each other, ignoring everything that was said about them.

It's going to be a hard-fought series. There's no doubting that. The Phillies are the real deal and the Cardinals are oozing confidence.

Don't be shocked if the Cardinals and all their intangibles are the ones moving on with the chance to get to the World Series.