First to Third: World Series Preview

The Battle of the I-95 corridor begins tomorrow night in New York as the Philadelphia Phillies take on the New York Yankees in the 2009 World Series.  I think the teams match up pretty evenly, so it should be an exciting series.  Here's a preview:

Infield: NLCS MVP Ryan Howard has been a beast this postseason, but in the Philadelphia infield, he's really the only one who has produced.  Jimmy Rollins is hitting .244 in the postseason and Chase Utley hit .211 in the NLCS.  Pedro Feliz is hitting around .160 for the postseason.  On the other hand, Alex Rodriguez decided to learn how to hit in the postseason and is leading the Yankees with a .424 postseason batting average.  Across the diamond, Mark Teixeira struggled through the first two rounds of the playoffs but is five for his last 14 (.357).  Derek Jeter is hitting .297 in the postseason, while Robinson Cano has yet to find a groove in October.  Advantage: Yankees


Outfield: The Yankees hope that Nick Swisher is starting to hit now that Johnny Damon is seemingly past his .083 ALDS batting average, with a .300 ALCS average.  Melky Cabrera is a .314 hitter this postseason.  The Phillies got more than they paid for in Raul Ibanez for the first half of the season, but after an injury slowed him down, he hasn't been the same.  He's hitting .225 with one home run in the postseason.  Shane Victorino (.361) and Jayson Werth (.281, 5 HR) have been great in October.  Advantage: Phillies

Starting Pitching: The Yankees can breathe a sigh of relief after knocking out the Angels in six games.  By preventing a game seven, the Yanks can now throw ALCS MVP CC Sabathia in games one, four, and seven.  Mix in A.J. Burnett, who hasn't been terrible aside from one inning in the ALCS and Andy Pettitte, the all-time leader in postseason wins (16) and that's a tremendous formula for success.  The Yankees will have to use a fourth starter unless they plan to use Burnett and Pettitte on short rest, too.  That guy will be Chad Gaudin, as the Yankees seem content with Joba Chamberlain pitching out of the bullpen.  For the Phils, Cliff Lee has been nothing short of dominant, while 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels (11 ER in 14.2 IP) has been a question mark.  In one start in the NLCS, Pedro Martinez was masterful and he could get the ball in game two.  Joe Blanton has been inconsistent.  Advantage: Yankees

Bullpen: The keys to this series, without question, are Damaso Marte and Phil Coke.  The Yankees lefties will have to pitch in big spots to Utley, Howard, and Ibanez, who bat consecutively in the heart of the Phillies order.  If Marte and Coke can neutralize the big three, the Yankees win the series.  The rest of the Yankee bullpen hasn't been as strong as the second half of the regular season, especially Phil Hughes.  Brad Lidge has had a tremendous postseason for Philadelphia after struggling through the regular season.  Ryan Madson hasn't been great in October, so expect the Phils to stay with Lidge.  Chad Durbin has been Philly's most consistent postseason reliever.  Advantage: Yankees

The Verdict: Pitching wins championships and if the Yankee lefties (Sabathia, Pettitte, Marte, Coke) can handle the Phillies lefties (Utley, Howard, Ibanez) the Yanks win the series.  I think it will happen. Yankees in Six.

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