Phillies back in NLCS

MILWAUKEE – With plenty of power to go with their improved pitching, the Philadelphia Phillies are ready for anything in the N.L. Championship Series.

Bring on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I like our chances,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Sunday after Philadelphia clinched its first trip to the NLCS since 1993 with a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

“I think we can hold our own with them. Actually, I think we can beat anybody in the National League, really,” he said.

Especially if the Phillies keep playing this way.

After scuffling through the first three games of the N.L. Division Series, Philadelphia’s offense broke out in a big way against the Brewers in Game 4 of the best-of-five series. Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a home run, Pat Burrell connected twice to break out of his postseason slump and Jayson Werth added a solo shot.

Not to be overlooked, midseason addition Joe Blanton threw a gem, holding the Brewers to one run after an eight-day layoff.

“That took a lot of pressure off of us,” Rollins said of his home run. “We were up 1-0, regardless, no matter how the top of the first ended. On the other side, of course, it’s going to put a little more pressure on you because their guys are thinking, ‘OK, well, we got to answer back.’ ”

The Brewers never could, and the Phillies rushed the mound at Miller Park after the final out, setting off a raucous celebration. Some Philly fans held up a banner that read, “World Series Here We Come Fightin’ Phillies.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled. You know, I don’t think it’s actually sunk in all that much yet,” said Burrell, who has been with the Phillies since they drafted him in 1998.

It will later this week, when the Phillies take on the Dodgers. Game 1 of the NLCS is Thursday in Philadelphia.

During the regular season, the Phillies and Dodgers each swept a four-game series from the other at home.

“It’s going to be a good series, but I think we can score runs on them,” Manuel said.

The wild-card Brewers, meanwhile, head for an offseason of uncertainty after their first playoff appearance in 26 years. Ace pitcher CC Sabathia, who almost single-handedly salvaged Milwaukee’s postseason hopes, is a free agent and isn’t expected back. Ben Sheets, the team’s second-best starter, might be gone, too.

Oh, and the Brewers need a manager after firing Ned Yost with 12 games left in the regular season. Dale Sveum took over on an interim basis.

“We did something we hadn’t done for a long time. We have to build on this,” said slugger Prince Fielder.