National League division series: Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia

Game 1: Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Cincinnati (Edinson Volquez, 4-3, 4.41)

at Philadelphia (Roy Halladay, 21-10, 2.44)

Game 2: Friday, 3 p.m.

Cincinnati (Bronson Arroyo, 17-10, 3.88)

at Philadelphia ( Roy Oswalt, 13-13, 2.76)

Game 3: Sunday, TBA

Philadelphia (Cole Hamels, 12-11, 3.06)

at Cincinnati (Johnny Cueto, 12-7, 3.64)

Game 4, Oct. 11, TBA*

Philadelphia (Halladay)

at Cincinnati (Volquez or Travis Wood, 5-4, 3.51)

Game 5, Oct. 13, TBA*

Cincinnati (Volquez or Arroyo)

at Philadelphia (Oswalt)

*if necessary

PROJECTED LINEUPS

REDS

Brandon Phillips, 2B (.275, 18, 59)

Orlando Cabrera, SS (.263, 4, 42)

Joey Votto, 1B (.324, 37, 113)

Scott Rolen, 3B (.285, 20, 83)

Jonny Gomes, LF (.266, 18, 86)

Jay Bruce, RF (.281, 25, 70)

Drew Stubbs, CF (.255, 22, 77)

Ramon Hernandez, C (.297, 7, 48)

Edinson Volquez, P

PHILLIES

Jimmy Rollins, SS (.243, 8, 41)

Placido Polanco, 3B (.298, 6, 52)

Chase Utley, 2B (.275, 16, 65)

Ryan Howard, 1B (.276, 31, 108)

Jayson Werth, RF (.296, 27, 85)

Raul Ibanez, LF (.275, 16, 83)

Shane Victorino, CF (.259, 18, 69)

Carlos Ruiz, C (.302, 8, 53)

Roy Halladay, P

KEYS TO THE SERIES

The Reds open this series on the 15th anniversary of their last postseason victory, over a Dodgers team that batted Brett Butler first and Chad Fonville second. The Reds are likable and formidable, with two wild cards in Game 1 starter Edinson Volquez, still regaining arm strength after returning from Tommy John surgery in July, after just 11 months of rehabilitation, and reliever Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban product with the 100-mph fastball. First baseman Joey Votto finished among the top three in every Triple Crown category, and the Reds led the National League in runs and home runs. That should play well in the Phillies’ bandbox, except for the three studs starting for the Phillies. After losing in the World Series last year, the Phillies upgraded from Cliff Lee and Joe Blanton to Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt. Halladay never has pitched in the playoffs; Oswalt never has won a World Series. Oswalt went 7-1, with a 1.74 earned-run average since his trade from the Astros. Halladay’s 2.44 ERA is the best of any playoff starter, and he had nine complete games -- a figure unmatched by any other NL team.