Phillies Beat Giants, Send Series back to Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2 last night, avoiding elimination and sending the series back east. The win narrows the best-of-seven series to 3-2, and forces the Giants to try and seal a trip to the world series as a visiting team.

The game featured another matchup of all-star pitching, as Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum squared off for the second time in the series. Halladay was able to overcome a groin injury to outdual Lincecum and extend the series. The Giants can only think about missing a big opportunity to win the series, and things will only get tougher with game 6 and a possible game 7 taking place in Philadelphia.

The Phillies joined the Yankees in extending the series after falling into a hole. New York is also attempting to come back from a 3-1 deficit and make a run at defending its 2009 title. While this has been a memorable postseason, it appears things are just now heating up.

MLB Playoffs: Baseball's Final 4 Set

The 2010 MLB playoffs has given us terrific pitching duals, close games decided in the final innings and more. With Texas' win over Tampa Bay last night, the AL and NL Championship Series are set, and only four teams are left to compete for a World Series title.

The NLCS clear favorite is Philadelphia. Roy Halladay has already thrown only the second no-hitter in postseason history, and the Phillies have a great offense. Experience helps, and the Phillies' Championship run in 2008 should give them an edge. Don't count out the Giants though, as their pitching may be enough for them to pull the upset. The series is filled with must-see pitching duals, starting with Roy Halladay vs. Tim Lincecum, but don't be surprised to see the Phillies in a third strait world series.

The ALCS features the Yankess, who seem to be here every season, vs. the Rangers, here for the first time. Both teams have dangerous offenses and decent pitching, and this series could come down to a game seven. The defending champion Yankees are as good as ever, but the Rangers have a postseason magic about them. Expect ace Cliff Lee to be the difference, and the Rangers to take a close series and make the team's first World Series.

Roy Halladay Throws Postseason No-Hitter

Many baseball fans and analysts wondered how veteran all-star Roy Halladay would pitch when he finally found himself in a meaningful game. After a very productive career with the average-at-best Blue Jays, Halladay signed with the Phillies for a shot at a ring.

Halladay answered the questions of the baseball world and moved the Phillies closer to a second title in three years in dramatic fashion - throwing only the second no-hitter in baseball postseason history. In the first playoff game of his career, Halladay shut down the Cincinnati Reds, one of the best offensive teams in the sport.

Halladay has consistently been one of the best pitchers in baseball, however this performance makes him a legend. He is only the second pitcher to throw a no-no in the playoffs, and his stellar career shows this is certainly no fluke. 2010 was the year of the pitcher, and the stellar pitcher match-ups in the postseason reflect this notion. Despite all the talent, Halladay continues to be the best, and is now one game closer to being a champion.