Fan Cave Great Debates: Giants or Phillies Rotation?

If we are to believe the standings as they are right now, it appears as though the Giants and the Phillies are on a collision course for an NLCS rematch. If that is the case, it will make for a very interesting series, pitting the two most talented rotations in baseball against one another. It also begs the question: if you had to take just one of these rotations to lead your team to the World Series, which would you take?

While both are immensely talented, have clear cut aces, and feature a blend of southpaws and righties, I think the edge has to go to the Phillies. For the purpose of this discussion, and considering that in a seven-game series, neither team will likely utilize a fourth or fifth starter, let's just look at the top three guys on each team. For the Phillies, those three guys are Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels. For the Giants, it's Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and (considering his performance so far in 2011) Ryan Vogelsong.

Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball, hands down. He has the ability to throw deep into games, is a fantastic strikeout pitcher, and has the perfect mentality for the postseason. In fact, in his first career postseason start last season, he no-hit the Reds. That's enough for me. Lee has proven himself as a tremendous postseason pitcher, and can be downright unhittable at times. He scuffled early on in 2011, but has turned it around nicely. He is currently 9-7 with a 3.05 ERA. Hamels, on the other hand, is experiencing a career year. He is 12-6 with a 2.61 ERA. These three guys would be awfully tough to beat in a seven game series. I know many will cite the fact that these very same guys were defeated by the Giants just last season, but I think they will be motivated to avenge their loss.

Lincecum is clearly a fantastic pitcher, and though his record is a pedestrian 9-8, his ERA is still under three. Cain has eerily similar stats to his teammate, sporting a 9-6 record with a 2.91 ERA. And Vogelsong has been a revelation this season, racing to an 8-1 record with a sparkling 2.10 ERA in 16 starts. The way this guy responds to pitching in his first postseason could be the wildcard. If he pitches anywhere near as well in the postseason as he has in the regular season, the Giants could surprise Philadelphia again.

There really is no wrong answer here. Both teams have lights out rotations, and both can go five or six deep if necessary. What it boils down to, at least for me, is the age and experience that the Phillies can run out day after day. And, of course, Halladay pitching three times if the series goes seven games counts for a helluva lot.

Who are you taking? Debate below or tweet me @rwags614 and let me know.