Here are capsule previews of the National League and American League championship series:

NLCSDodgers vs. PhilliesStarting pitchingMany observers considered it an upset when the Dodgers had the pitching to hold off a Cardinals staff led by Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. It really wasn't that surprising. The Dodgers had the lowest ERA from starting staffs in the playoffs, an amazing feat given the injuries that bedeviled them all season. Clayton Kershaw and Vicente Padilla pitched well against the Cardinals. The Phillies' starting staff is shaky behind ace Cliff Lee, with 2008 playoff star Cole Hamels racking up a 7.06 ERA in his last four starts. Lee, won't be available to pitch on full rest until Game 3. Look for Hamels and either J.A. Happ or Joe Blanton to get the starts at Dodger Stadium.

Edge: Dodgers.

BullpenThis is a quiet strength for Joe Torre's team, as it was a year ago. The Dodgers' relievers allowed only two earned runs in 9X\c innings against the Cardinals, with George Sherrill and Jonathan Broxton working in all three games. Sherrill and fellow lefty Hong-Chih Kuo should play key roles against the left-handed hitters in the middle of the Phillies' order. Brad Lidge, not viewed as the closer when the playoffs began, somehow goes into the LCS round tied with the Angels' Brian Fuentes for the saves lead (two).

Edge: Dodgers.

HittingLong balls often win playoff games, and the Phillies get a big edge. They led the NL with 224 regular-season homers, 79 more than the Dodgers. But the Phillies have used more than just power to score an average of 4.7 runs per game in the playoffs the last two years. They can run the bases and deliver hits when they count the most. Jayson Werth especially seems to raise his game. The Dodgers can have surprising trouble scoring runs at times, in part because Manny Ramirez is not the same guy he was before his 50-game PED suspension. But Ramirez had a two-double game against the Cardinals Saturday, hinting at a resurgence.Edge: Phillies.

FieldingNo team in the playoffs allowed fewer unearned runs than Philadelphia. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are solid up the middle. The Dodgers feature shortstop Rafael Furcal, whose arm is still a treasure.

Edge: Phillies.

BenchGive Jim Thome enough chances, he's going to win a game with a big hit, most likely a homer. But Ronnie Belliard was a bigger addition in a series of late trades, hitting so well that Torre can weigh matchups to decide whether to start Orlando Hudson, a 2009 All-Star. Juan Pierre, a $9 million a year player, offers speed and defense, if not a bargain. The Phillies' Matt Stairs led the majors with five pinch homers. Outfielder Ben Francisco has game, which he showed with a shoe-top catch against the Rockies.

Edge: Dodgers.

ManagerTorre would get a career edge but Charlie Manuel clearly has a great feel for his team, which has won 14 of 18 playoff games since a first-round exit in 2007. Torre is managing in the championship series for the ninth time but his teams have won only two of their last seven series.

Edge: Phillies.

Gut readThere's not a lot of difference between these teams, who met here last season. The Phillies won that one in five games but don't figure to win easily two years in a row. But if they're going to pull off an upset, they will need something heroic from the starting rotation.

Pick: Phillies in seven.

ALCSAngels vs. YankeesStarting pitchingSometimes aces and big-name guys carry series. You would give the Yankees the edge if you expected that to happen. But the Angels have a better starting rotation, with the guys behind John Lackey outperforming A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, and Lackey providing a nice counter for CC Sabathia. Lackey, Jered Weaver and Scott Kazmir gave up only six runs in 20X\c innings in the sweep against the Red Sox. The format gives New York the chance to start Sabathia three times in the series, if Joe Girardi is willing to use him on short rest once, and he could be a difference-maker. Sabathia pitched well against the Twins in the division series opener but has a 6.54 ERA in six postseason starts, with the totals inflated from a woeful performance on three days' rest for the Brewers in the 2008 NLDS. Burnett, the majors' leader in walks, was very beatable against the Twins but got big outs.

Edge: Angels.

BullpenMariano Rivera is the best postseason closer there ever has been. He raised his career total of playoff saves to 35 in the first round. Girardi has done a nice job developing roles for Phil Hughes and Phil Coke in front of Rivera. He has a decision to make with Joba Chamberlain but it's likely he will stay in the bullpen rather than join the rotation as a fourth starter. Brian Fuentes nicely shut the door on the Red Sox in Game 3 but has allowed a lot of baserunners this season. The Angels' not-so-secret weapon is 39-year-old Darren Oliver, who pitched in every game for the Angels against the Red Sox.

Edge: Yankees.

HittingRun production is the calling card of baseball's best teams. The Yankees led the majors in runs, home runs, on-base percentage and extra-base hits in the regular season, and are off to a rolling start in the playoffs thanks largely to Alex Rodriguez. He looks like a man on a mission, hitting two of the Yankees' six home runs against the Twins. Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada also are swinging hot bats. Mark Teixeira is dangerous. The Angels have done just fine since losing Teixeira to the Yankees, and actually outscored New York in the first round 16-15. They did this despite a hitless series from leadoff man Chone Figgins, with Bobby Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero and Kendry Morales making big contributions. The Angels have a big edge in team speed and will look to push the action, especially when Girardi catches Posada.

<B>Edge</B>: Yankees.<B>Fielding</B>Philadelphia is the only team still playing that allowed fewer unearned runs than the Angels. Center fielder Torii Hunter is a playmaker. The Yankees can be excellent in the field, despite the mileage on Jeter, Rodriguez and Johnny Damon, among others. Posada is a huge question mark at catcher. Girardi can't use him to catch Burnett and he's a significant passed ball risk with the other pitchers. One scout said it looks like he could be having trouble seeing pitches out of the pitcher's hand. He will have his hands full with runners on base and could be lifted for defensive purposes with leads.<B>Edge:</B> Angels.<B>Bench</B>There are easy moves for Mike Scioscia every game, as he basically has an extra middle infielder among Erick Aybar, Maicer Izturis and Howie Kendrick and an extra outfielder in Gary Matthews Jr., who drove in 50 runs. The Yankees are much less likely to use their bench. The lack of depth prompted them to add Jerry Hairston Jr. in August.<B>Edge:</B> Angels.<B>Manager</B>Scioscia has been through the October battles, winning a World Series in 2002 and getting to the championship series twice previously. He's excellent both tactically and in keeping his players relaxed. Girardi looks like a rising star as a manager.<B>Edge:</B> Angels.<B>Gut read</B>The Yankees are going to be very tough to beat. If the Angels do it, they probably will expect to win the World Series, as they will have home-field advantage to go along with a glittering resume this postseason. The Yankees' power hitting is the biggest edge in a good series. It could turn the Angels' way if Scioscia goes with four starting pitchers while the Yankees push Sabathia.<B>Pick:</B> Yankees in six.