NLDS Game 1: Reds at Phillies

File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

Citizens Bank Park hosts Game 1 between the Reds and Phillies.

The road to the National League pennant has gone through Citizens Bank Park each of the last two seasons, and it will go through there again this month. Until someone proves they can beat the Phillies, no one can. And, as if Charlie Manuel's club wasn't talented enough in 2008 and 2009, now they've added Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt to a rotation that already includes World Series MVP Cole Hamels.

Halladay makes the first postseason start of his career this afternoon. That might faze some pitchers, but I just can't see this guy being scared of the spotlight. He had a fabulous season under the glare all season and will probably win NL Cy Young award honors for it. His counterpart today, Edinson Volzquez, has some of the best stuff in either league. But he pitched in only 12 games this season after coming back from Tommy John surgery, so the 27-year-old remains something of a work in progress. If Volquez is on, though, watch out.

The big pregame news out of Philly was the absence of Placido Polanco in the Phillies' lineup. The veteran third baseman, a huge contributor to the club this season, was scratched with tightness in his back. It's not believed to be serious, but it was serious enough to keep him out of the lineup today. We'll see what effect, if any, that has.

I'll try to share some thoughts along the way, and please continue the conversation with each other as well...

NL DIVISION SERIES — GAME 1
CINCINNATI REDS at
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Where: Citizens Bank Park
Gametime: 5:07 p.m.
TV: TBS Radio: WTNT-570 AM

Weather: Cloudy, 61 degrees

REDS
2B Brandon Phillips
SS Orlando Cabrera
1B Joey Votto
3B Scott Rolen
LF Jonny Gomes
RF Jay Bruce
CF Drew Stubbs
C Ramon Hernandez
P Edinson Volquez

PHILLIES
SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Shane Victorino
2B Chase Utley
1B Ryan Howard
RF Jayson Werth
LF Raul Ibanez
C Carlos Ruiz
3B Wilson Valdez
P Roy Halladay

5:22 p.m. -- That didn't take long. Phillies lead 1-0 in the bottom of the first. Halladay cruised through the top of the inning, retiring the side on 10 pitches. Then Shane Victorino doubled, stole third and scored on Chase Utley's sac fly.

5:44 p.m. -- 2-0 Phillies in the bottom of the second thanks to Halladay's RBI single, and they've still got runners on first and third with two out.

5:54 p.m. -- Make it 4-0, still in the bottom of the second, after Victorino drove a single to center with the bases loaded. And that ends Volquez's day after only 1 2/3 innings. Wow.

6:20 p.m. -- 12 up, 12 down for Halladay. At what point is it appropriate to bring up Don Larsen's name?

6:38 p.m. -- Well, the perfect game is no longer in play after Halladay issued a two-out walk in the fifth. He has yet, however, to allow a hit through five innings. Phillies still lead 4-0.

6:45 p.m. -- So, I've finished my Stan Kasten story (you can read it on CSNwashington.com) and I need to pack up and head home. So no updates for a little while. Hopefully, either Halladay gives up a hit while I'm in the car or the game doesn't end before I get home. (Though Mrs. Z assures me she's recording the game for me to watch just in case.)

8:03 p.m. -- Well, I didn't make it home in time. An accident on I-66 left me 10 minutes from getting home for the final out of the second no-hitter in postseason history. But I did get to listen to it on the radio, and I have to say, it was actually a pretty cool way to listen to history. I couldn't help but think to myself that this was how almost everyone listened to Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956: Let the announcers paint the picture for you and then imagine in your mind what it must have looked like. Now that I'm home, I've seen the final out on TV. It actually was a closer play than I pictured, and Brandon Phillips' bat came perilously close to touching the ball in fair territory before Carlos Ruiz picked it up and threw to first for the 27th out. Simply incredible.