NLDS 2011: Predicting One Hero in Each Series

Wow, both series have gone to the final Game 5 that is deciding each team's fates come Friday.

The Brewers will take Yovani Gallardo (17-10) to the mound against Arizona's Ian Kennedy (21-4) at 5:07 ET. Meanwhile, the Phillies' Roy Halladay (19-6) will go up against the Cardinals' Chris Carpenter (11-9) at 8:37 ET.

Not only will I be giving you a prediction on both of these Game 5s, but I will also tell you will be the heroes in both of what will be historic games for these franchises.

Rafael Furcal

Go ahead, take David Freese, and I will laugh at you. Freese is coming off a huge game and already is considered a stud after driving in four runs with a two-run homer. 

However, Furcal has flashed leather for years, and he still can get to nearly any ball in the infield with an absolute hose up the middle and in the hole over at third.

Furcal may only be a lifetime .245 hitter in the postseason, but he has had the knack for coming up with the clutch hits when necessary.

Carlos Ruiz

Talk about a clutch hitter in recent memory. Hitting a home run in the 2008 and 2009 World Series and in last year's NLCS makes Ruiz a solid candidate.

I won't allow you to tell me that anybody in the lineup other than Ruiz, and possibly Ibanez, could make the list as a "sleeper hero," since the lineup is loaded with former and still present/future All-Stars.

Ruiz is a lifetime .265 hitter in the postseason, and handling Roy Halladay and the rest of the staff allows Ruiz to call a great game. Throwing a few runners out could play a vital role, since St. Louis will take a ton of chances if there are runners that reach base.

Watch out for "Chooch" to come through when it matters most!

Rickie Weeks

There is always a rule that needs to be broken, and Rickie Weeks is the exception for the "sleeper hero" since he is just hitting .067 with what seems to be five hundred runners left on base. He left six runners just in Game 4, and hitting behind Prince Fielder, he has been getting pitched to. yet the struggles remain.

Prince Fielder has not been seeing any fastballs as of late, and with several runners left on base every opportunity for Weeks, he is eventually going to come through. He is one of the best second baseman in the game and will come through in Game 5.

He is hitting under .100 in his career in the postseason, but Weeks did reach base twice in the series opener against Ian Kennedy. He was hit by a pitch right after Fielder had a double in the fourth inning in Game 1.

Weeks, during the regular season, hit just .200 with runners in scoring position with two outs, but he is a much better hitter at home versus the road.

Was it a coincidence that he made the last out of Game 4, and will the Brewers attempt to perhaps hit him leadoff?

Weeks unforgettably hit just .249 on the road as opposed to his tremendous .293 at home. Watch Rickie come through when all the chips are down, as he is too talented to let Braun, Fielder and the rest of the organization down in a critical win or go home NLDS Game 5.

Aaron Hill

I love me some "Mr. Tatman" since Ryan Roberts was on my fantasy team and since he is hitting a ridiculous .375 with two HRs and six RBI (including grand slam) thus far in the series. 

However, Aaron bleeping Hill is hitting .357 and had a homer of his own. He is a bit more important in my eyes since he is hitting second in the lineup, and he is the man in front of Justin Upton. They are not going to pitch around Upton if Hill is already on base, so it becomes imperative that Aaron Hill makes Yovani Gallardo pay the price.

These playoffs have all been about making the most out of the few opportunities you have, and with both National League series going the distance, it sure makes for great drama heading into the National League Championship Series. 

Without further ado, my picks for Friday's epic Game 5s.

D-BACKS 4, BREWERS 3 (Extra Innings)

PHILLIES 5, CARDINALS 2