Opposing NLCS starters have little in common

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum have little in common except performance on the mound.

Nicknamed the Freak, Lincecum is a shaggy-haired, skinny kid who looks more like a bat boy than one of the best pitchers in the majors.

Known as Doc, the bearded Halladay is bigger, stronger and can probably pass for a professor.

Lincecum is quirky. He has an unorthodox delivery, doesn’t ice his arm, and munches on treats like Philly cheesesteaks or ice cream before starts.

Halladay is robotic. He has perfect mechanics, a tireless work ethic and doesn’t let anything prevent him from following his routine.

Who’s the better pitcher?

They’ll showcase their stuff when the San Francisco Giants play the two-time NL champion Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the league championship series tonight at Citizens Bank Park.

“It’s going to be a tremendous matchup,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “You have two of the best pitchers in the game. We have all the respect for Halladay. Tremendous command in the strike zone, great stuff, great competitor. And, we have a good one going, too. Two different styles. Their guy’s probably a little bit more conventional than Tim with his unique delivery. But when it comes down to it, he’s in the same position. They have four-plus pitches they can throw at any time with good command.”

Both pitchers were sensational in their postseason debuts last week.

Halladay threw the second no-hitter in postseason history in Philadelphia’s 4-0 victory over Cincinnati. A day later, Lincecum tossed a two-hitter with 14 strikeouts in San Francisco’s 1-0 win over Atlanta.

Neither guy expects an encore. It doesn’t mean they’re not trying.

“That’s the beauty of it. I don’t look at it as pressure. I look at it as a challenge,” Halladay said.