Cardinals vs. Phillies: 9 Things We Have Learned from This Playoff Series so Far

The National League Divisional Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals has already provided viewers with plentiful bits of information, along with plenty of excitement.

As the series heads back to St. Louis for Game 3 on Tuesday, the Cardinals could have had their proverbial backs against the wall, allowing the Phillies to a 4-0 lead in Game 2 before responding with five runs to even the series at one game apiece.

The Cardinals will have their work cut out for them heading into Tuesday’s game, as the Phillies send the third of their Big Three at the Cards, Cole Hamels.

Hamels is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in five career starts at Busch Stadium, and in his only appearance against the Cardinals this season, Hamels took the loss, giving up four runs on seven hits in seven innings on Sept. 18 at Citizens Bank Park.

After facing Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee in the first two games, the Cardinals are certainly prepared to go against the best.

So, what have we learned thus far about the Phillies and Cardinals in the first two games of the series? Let’s take a look.

That Roy Halladay Dude Can Really Pitch

When Game 1 of the NLDS got underway, it certainly looked like Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay left his A-game at home. After giving up a single to Rafael Furcal and a walk to Albert Pujols, left fielder Lance Berkman took Halladay deep, giving the Cardinals an early 3-0 lead.

Halladay then gave up a leadoff single to Skip Schumaker to start the second inning, and decided that enough was enough.

He then proceeded to set the next 21 Cardinals hitters down in order, allowing his offense time to wake up and support his shutdown effort with a five-run sixth inning, followed by five more runs in the seventh and eighth. Halladay’s Jekyll-and-Hyde performance gave the Phillies the early advantage.

Cliff Lee Picked Up Where He Left off in 2010 World Series

Before last season’s World Series, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee had been undefeated in his postseason career. However, while pitching for the Texas Rangers last season, Lee’s unbeaten record came to a crashing halt during the 2010 World Series, losing Games 2 and 5 to the San Francisco Giants.

Lee picked up in the postseason where he left off, giving up five runs on 12 hits in six innings to the Cardinals in Game 2 of the NLDS. Lee’s postseason numbers is his last three starts? 0-3 with a 7.13 ERA.

The Cardinals Really Miss the Bat of Matt Holliday

St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday suffered an injury to a tendon in his right middle finger on Sept. 13, and that injury is still bothering him enough to keep him out of the lineup thus far in the NLDS.

During the regular season, the Cardinals were 70-54 with Holliday in the lineup, and just 20-18 without. And thus far in the NLDS, Holliday’s absence is certainly having an effect, as his replacement, Allen Craig, is hitting just .143 in Holliday’s absence.

Holliday made an appearance in Game 1 as a pinch-hitter, striking out and re-aggravating the hand injury in the process, leaving his status for the remainder of the NLDS in doubt.

Raul Ibanez Rewards Manager Charlie Manuel’s Faith in Him

Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez had what can only be described as an up-and-down season. While Ibanez bettered last year’s power numbers, hitting 20 HR with 84 RBI, his batting average was 35 points less than his career mark.

However, in the first two games of the playoffs, Ibanez is hitting .375 with one HR and four RBI, and recorded a crucial outfield assist in Game 2, throwing out John Jay at the plate in the top of the fourth, preventing the Cardinals from tying the game at the time.

Today’s Starters Just Can’t Work on Three Days’ Rest

With Game 2 starter Chris Carpenter’s short three-inning effort against the Philadelphia Phillies, once again it shows the ineffectiveness of pitchers throwing on just three days’ rest.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark pointed out that since 2005, 21 times have pitchers have been called upon to work on three days’ rest. Their record in those starts is 5-8 with a 5.83 ERA, and their teams have only won eight of those 21 starts overall.

Milwaukee Brewers starter Zack Greinke also worked on three days’ rest on Sunday, allowing four runs on eight hits in five innings, serving up three home runs as well.

Christy Mathewson would be laughing right now.

Jimmy Rollins Not Ready to Leave Philly Quite Yet

With a .625 average, two doubles and five runs scored, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is showing the Philly faithful that he is not ready to leave town quite yet.

Rollins, who has spent his entire 12-year career with Philly, is a free agent at the end of the year. Rollins seems resigned to accept the fact that the Phillies will not meet his demand for a five-year contract, however he is clearly not letting his future free agent status affect how he’s playing right now.

Cardinals Relievers Are a Pretty Decent Support Group

When St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter was replaced by pinch-hitter Nick Punto in the top of the fourth inning, manager Tony LaRussa was calling on his bullpen to keep the Cards in the game.

To say that the bullpen responded brilliantly would be an understatement. A collection of six relievers held a powerful Phillies lineup to just one hit the rest of the way, allowing the Cardinals to come back and even the series.

Jason Motte retired all four batters he faced to seal the victory for the Cardinals, giving them a crucial victory heading back to St. Louis.

Ryan Howard Re-Establishing Himself as Leader of Phillies Offense

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard delivered in the first inning of Game 2 with a two-run single, giving him six RBI in the first two games of the NLDS.

Howard’s power numbers dropped off considerably over the last two seasons when compared to the monster years he put up between 2006 and 2009. And in last year’s playoffs, while Howard hit .303 overall, he did not hit a single home run or record a single run batted in.

Cardinals Clearly Not Buying Hype About Being Overmatched

While many pundits expected the Phillies pitching staff to overpower the St. Louis Cardinals hitters, they apparently never received that memo.

Thus far in the first two games, the Cardinals are hitting .286, and while Roy Halladay effectively shut them down after the first inning of Game 1, they proved they could get to him as well before that.

If the Cardinals can get to Game 3 starter Cole Hamels early at Busch Stadium, they will have huge momentum on their side in their home turf.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter @Sports_A_Holic.