Two Difference Makers in the NLCS

The NLCS is full of power as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Philadelphia Phillies with Game One starting tonight. Everybody is talking about Manny Ramirez, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, but there are two players in this series that are capable of carrying their team to the World Series.

Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth hit 36 home runs in the regular season and batted .357 with two home runs and four RBIs last series against the Colorado Rockies. Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp hit .297 with 26 homers and 101 RBIs during the regular season. He only hit .143 last series against the St. Louis Cardinals, but he has been clutch for the Dodgers all season. You have not seen Kemp’s best ball yet this season.

In a three-game series with the Phillies in May, Kemp was six for 13 with one triple and two RBIs. Kemp actually hit .314 on the road this season, which was better than his .278 average at home. Like Andre Ethier, Kemp is one of the most clutch hitters in the National League. Kemp is batting .279 with runners in scoring position and he is a threat to steal anytime he is on base.

Werth also has a better batting average on the road (.271) and hit .308 against the Dodgers this season. Werth has six career postseason home runs and is on fire this post season. Keep an eye on both of these players as the NLCS begins tonight, but Kemp will be the player that has the better postseason. Kemp will help lead Joe Torre back to the World Series against the New York Yankees.