World Series Preview

I, for one, am really excited about this year’s World Series. Don’t get me wrong, I watch the World Series every year and love baseball in general, but not every Series in recent years has gotten me excited. The Rays were a fun story last year, but Philadelphia seemed better; ditto the Rockies/Red Sox fiasco in ’07. I was jacked in 2006 because Willie P’s beloved Cardinals were the underdogs against a very good Detroit team. 2005 brought us the Astros and the White Sox, which isn’t exactly a Series etched in the collective memory of baseball fans. So, you see, it’s rare that you can get a matchup between two very, very good teams that has the potential to take all seven games to settle. I honestly think the Yankees-Phillies series is going to be tremendous. They both have remarkable lineups, solid-to-great starting pitching, and a champions’ swagger to them. We could be witnessing history here, folks, and I can’t wait to watch it unfold.

Yankees Offense: Let’s be honest, there’s a lot to like here. Derek Jeter (.297 postseason BA, 9 runs scored) setting the table for Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez (.438 postseason BA, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored) is about as good as it gets. Johnny Damon has had a resurgent year for the Yankees from the two-hole, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can continue to be another baserunner in front of the Yankees’ power hitters. Jorge Posada hasn’t had a great postseason, but he hasn’t been bad either with a .258 postseason BA and two homers. After those guys, there’s a bit of a drop-off with Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano, and Nick Swisher, who haven’t hit very well this postseason. Matsui and Cano have proven to be good playoff hitters in the past, but they need to find their strokes soon if New York is to reach its potential.

Phillies Offense: One of the few offense is baseball that can rival New York’s, the Phillies have a complete lineup. 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins gets on base and All-Stars Chase Utley (.303 postseason BA) and Ryan Howard (.355 postseason BA, 14 RBI) drive him in. Shane Victorino (.361 posteason BA, 8 runs scored) and Jayson Werth (5 HR, 10 RBI) provide another level of punch to the Philadelphia batting order. Raul Ibanez hasn’t hit well this postseason, but his 9 RBIs show that he’s still capable of driving in runs when the Phillies need him to. There is no shortage of pop on the Philly side of the field when it comes to offense. They score, and score a lot.

Yankees Defense: This is going to be an interesting facet to the series. Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter are no longer as swift as they once were, so will they be able to keep the loopers and bloops from falling in for singles? If CC Sabathia and company have to deal with extra baserunners that should have been out, it’s going to put increased pressure on them. It will be key for the Yankees to not only commit as few errors as possible, but to get to the in-between balls and make sure that they’re outs instead of hits. The Phillies can score plenty on their own; they don’t need help adding baserunners.

Phillies Defense: This is an area where I think the Phillies have an advantage. Shane Victorino is a great centerfielder and will be able to cut out some potential extra-base hits for New York. Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth aren’t great corner outfielders, but they are solid and shouldn’t commit any gaffes that will cost their team. Jimmy Rollins is about as good as it gets defensively at short, and Chase Utley completes a great tandem up the middle for Philly. Ryan Howard has improved greatly at first base since his rookie year and can bail out his teammates with digs and scoops. The Phillies have the advantage on defense.

Yankees Starting Rotation: As long as the series allows New York to pitch three guys, they’ll be fine. CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte have been great for the Yankees this postseason and form a trio of great options for manager Joe Girardi. However, if we get some bad weather in New York and/or Philadelphia (imagine that) and games have to get pushed back, that could cause some problems. Chad Gaudin would most likely be the fourth starter, and that’s not something the Yankees want to see. As long as the three-headed monster is the only thing facing the Phillies, New York has to feel much better about its chances.

Phillies Starting Rotation: Cliff Lee, your boys need you. Lee has been masterful since coming over from Cleveland in a midseason deal, and he’ll need to set the tone again in Game 1. With Pedro Martinez throwing Game 2 and Cole Hamels throwing Game 3, there aren’t a lot of concrete answers coming the Phillies’ way any time soon. I love Pete as much as the next guy (except for Skip), but you can’t tell me what you’re going to get out of him on Thursday night. I could see 0 runs in 7 innings pitched, but I could also see 5 runs in 5 innings pitched. Hamels was lights-out last year as the NLCS and World Series MVP for Philadelphia, but has not resembled that same pitcher this year. If he can somehow manage to pull himself together for this series, it’d be a huge boost to the Phillies.

Yankees Bullpen: Joba Chamberlain. Phil Hughes. Damaso Marte. Remember those names, because those are the guys who will bridge the gap between the starters and closer Mariano Rivera. Rivera is about as money as it gets in the playoffs, and the starting pitching has been good, so as long as the bridge between the two isn’t filled with potholes, the Yankees will be in good shape. Chamberlain has only allowed one run this postseason (in 3.1 innings of work), which bodes well for New York. They need him to be strong. Hughes was roughed up in Game 5 against the Angels in the ALCS, but has been just about perfect the rest of the postseason. Marte is important because he’s one of the few left-handers out of the bullpen and will be called upon against the likes of Howard, Utley, and Ibanez. He has yet to give up a run this postseason and will need to continue that fine form for New York to have a chance in the late innings against the Philly offense.

Phillies Bullpen: This, ladies and gentlemen, is where the Phillies often get bit. Brad Lidge, after going perfect in save opportunities last year, blew 11 this season. He has been up-and-down all season long, but has been great in the postseason, only allowing one hit while recording 3 saves and a victory. Chad Durbin has two wins out of the ‘pen this postseason and has yet to allow a hit. His win in Game 5 of the NLCS sealed the victory for the Phillies and allowed them to rest up for the World Series. He’s been great. Chan Ho Park and Ryan Madson will also see work in the series, and they haven’t been dependable this postseason. Madson has two blown saves and Park’s ERA is 8.10. Needless to say, Philly fans won’t feel comfortable when either of them are handed the ball against the Yankees.

Final Prediction: Yankees in 7 After crunching the numbers, following my gut, and flipping a coin several times, I’ve decided to go with New York in a back-and-forth series. Their starting pitching is more dependable, their offense is just as good as Philly’s (if not better), and their bullpen is less likely to blow a game (or two). When it comes to winning championships in team sports, you need production from every facet of the squad. The Yankees have proven that they’re able to get such production, and I look for them to put forth a great team effort in the World Series and vanquish the Phillies in the maximum seven games.

~~ Lank