The Phillies will have champagne waiting outside their clubhouse Wednesday, as they have a chacne to celebrate winning the NLDS over the St. Louis Cardinals.

The winners, the spoils ... all of that.

But they scored in one of nine innings of Game 3, and for the 73rd time this season they were held to three or fewer runs. And their bullpen was rickety, even if Ryan Madson nicely earned a five-out save.

The question is fair: Isn't that the way postseason baseball is played --- with great pitchers caught in low-run games? Sure. And the Phillies have great pitching.

That's been the plan all along --- subdue enough teams with starting pitchers and take whatever offense trickles their way. Might work. Might.

Check out my column on delcotimes.com and in the Daily Times Wednesday on the greatest postseason performer in Phillies history, Cole Hamels. Also, I will have a story on the enjoyment Brad Lidge got out of watching Madson succeed in his former role as a closer.

Also, follow me on twitter at JackMcCaffery, and join us during the Game 4 for an in-game chat at delcotimes.com