The Texas Rangers have secured their spot in the World Series and now the Giants are looking for their first pennant since Barry Bonds led them to within six outs of the World Series title in 2002.
Jonathan Sanchez, takes the mound as the starter for San Francisco in Game 6 on Saturday at 4:57 p.m.
Roy Oswalt is pitching as a starter in a ballpark where he's never lost. Back in a familiar role after an unsuccessful guest appearance as a reliever, Oswalt gets the ball when the Phillies try to even the NL championship series against San Francisco.
Oswalt dominated the Giants in Game 2, but took the loss when he came out of the bullpen and allowed Juan Uribe's game-ending sacrifice fly in the ninth inning in Game 4.
Sanchez gave up three runs -- two earned -- and five hits in six-plus innings last Sunday night. The tough lefty had dominated the Phillies in his five previous starts against them, not allowing more than four hits in any outing.
Sanchez beat San Diego on the final day of the regular season to lead San Francisco to the NL West title. He'd like one more clinching victory.
"It's going to be great to get to the World Series," Sanchez said. "Never been there. We've got a lot of guys on the team that have never been there, and to be able to do that, it's going to be something special for me."
After Tim Lincecum outdueled Halladay in the opener, Oswalt threw eight superb innings in a 6-1 win.
"I pitched in Houston. It's small there, too," Oswalt said. "It doesn't really matter the size. Don't really think about it when you're on the mound. You think of making them hit it on the ground or try to not let them hit it on the sweet spot of the bat, and if you can do that, you're usually pretty successful."
This will be Oswalt's sixth start against the Giants this year. They beat him three times during the regular season when he was with Houston. Oswalt pitched well in those games, but got no run support. He's beaten San Francisco twice with the Phillies.
Neither team worked out Friday. The Phillies flew home after extending the series Thursday night. The Giants made the cross-country trip on Friday, and their flight got delayed before taking off because President Barack Obama and Air Force One were arriving in San Francisco.
"We've been tested all year. You go back to early August, we've been playing big games," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We were 6½-7 games back. Went down to the wire playing Atlanta and now we're here in Philly, playing a tremendous team that's been to the World Series the last two years. No question, that's a test. But these guys, they've been battle-tested. And we know we're playing a club that's loaded with experience, and they are, too. But I like the way my team has handled everything thrown at them and they'll go out there and give it their all. And that's all you can ask."
