World Series Preview!
Gasp! The World Series is going on right now and I haven’t posted my World Series Preview post yet! At least I’m not too late.
Pitching Staffs:
Yankees: The Yankees have a strong ace in C.C. Sabathia, who was named the ALCS MVP. Behind him are A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettite. Burnett has yet to win a postseason game this year and Andy Pettite is just fine.
Phillies: Cliff Lee, Pedro Martinez, and Cole Hamels are as good a starting rotation as anyone can ask for.
Edge: Slight edge to the Phillies
Phillies 0.75, Yankees 0.25
Bullpen:
Yankees: Phil Hughes and Damaso Marte have pitched well this year. Joba Chamberlain not so much. Mariano Rivera is undoubtedly the best clutch closer in the game right now.
Phillies: Dominant in the NLCS, this bullpen has depth and talent enough to close it out in the clutch. Brad Ldge did not pitch so well though.
Edge: Slight edge to the Phillies
Phillies 1.5, Yankees 0.5
Infield:
Yankees: A great infield that cannot be matched. A-Rod, Jeter, Cano, Teixeira, and Posada behind the plate. They can hit, shown by their production, and field, shown by 7 overall Gold Gloves.
Phillies: A close second, but not as good. Jeter over Rollins, A-Rod over Feliz, Posada over Ruiz, Utley over Cano, and Howard over Teixeira in hitting but not all-around. Besides Utley over Cano, I’d take the Yankees infield any day.
Edge: Yankees
Phillies 1.5, Yankees 1.5
Outfield:
Yankees: Swisher, Matsui, and Damon are a great combination as well as great hitting producers. Their fielding is some of the best in the league.
Phillies: Werth,Victorino, and Ibanez. Ibanez and Werth can both hit for power, and all three can produce. Their fielding is as good as the Yankees.
Edge: Tie
Phillies 2, Yankees 2
Management:
Yankees: Joe Girardi has shown his expertise already in leading the Yankees to the only 100-win season in the whole league this year.
Phillies: Charlie Manuel is basically his equal, but maybe a little bit better because of his World Series championships.
Edge: Tie
Phillies 2.5, Yankees 2.5
I have come to no conclusion. The two teams are equal. My New York bias says Yankees in 7; in fact that’s what I want. Phillies are good, maybe even great. But they eventually will not be able to equal the legacy of Yankees playoff clutch.
Pick: Yankees in 7 games.
I’ll be rooting for the Yankees the whole way!
October 29, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I’m with you … unless the Phillies win tonight. If they go back to the City of Brotherly Love with a 2-0 lead, the Yanks are in trouble.
October 29, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Yes. Tonight’s game is a must-win for the Yankees. C.C. Sabathia pitched great, but their bullpen failed them. Cliff Lee pitched masterfully last night against a tough Yankees’ lineup. This should be interesting.
November 3, 2009 at 6:35 pm
While I think the Phillies are the better team and more deserving of victory, the Yankees win in 6 games.
November 3, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Hey! Long time no see comment! How are you doing?
Yeah, Yankees are doing great. Hopefully they win tomorrow night.