The division series is nice, but the LCS is where the big bucks are earned. These players will be under a microscope:
1. Alex Rodriguez » The most polarizing figure in baseball hit .455 and hammered two home runs in the ALDS against the Twins. But beware; A-Rod’s last ALCS (against the Red Sox in 2004) ended in a 2-for-17 skid.
2. Brian Fuentes » It’s been a tough postseason for closers. Fuentes led all of baseball with 48 saves in 2009, but do you think he’s a slam-the-door-shut reliever? Neither do we. That’s a scary thing in October (see opposite sidebar).
3. Cole Hamels » Which Hamels shows up against the Dodgers, the one who went 4-0 in the 2008 postseason, or the one who was shelled in Game 2 of the NLDS? Proud papa was 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA against L.A. this season.
4. Andre Ethier » Dodger outfielder was 6-for-12 with two homers in NLDS sweep of Cardinals, but was held in check by the Phillies last October (5-for-22 with zero RBI). Ethier has six walk-off hits this season.
5. Brad Lidge » The topsy-turvy Phillies closer converted both save opportunities against the Rockies. Still, it’s hard for us to trust a guy who had 11 blown saves and a 1.81 WHIP in the regular season. He’ll be on a very short leash.
