I started writing this blog before Game One…now I’m finishing it before Game Two.
If I didn’t have such an emotional investment into who wins the World Series…I think I would really look forward to watching a nail biting winner-take-all game 7. Being a lifelong Phillies fan…I don’t know if I want it to go that far!!! I would prefer not to have to endure what could be a wild rollercoaster ride to the finish.
That being said…it has all the makings of a great match up. The two best teams in baseball this season…going head to head in the best of 7 Fall Classic.
The defending world champs…against the traditional powerhouse. The team with the most last place finishes in baseball history vs. the team with the most world titles.
Both teams are loaded with stars…Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley etc…vs. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera and the rest.
Try comparing them by positions…side by side…and it’s very close.
1st Base…Ryan Howard and Mark Teixiera. Two great sluggers. Howard hit more home runs and had more RBI’s…but Teixiera is better with the glove. Howard has shown the ability to rise to the occasion…and has been a clutch performer for the past three seasons down the stretch. The jury is still out on Teixiera…after a sub-par postseason so far.
Advantage: PHILLIES
2nd Base…Chase Utley and Robinson Cano. Both can hit…but Utley is the Phillies answer to Derek Jeter. He is always in the right place at the right time…and does what it takes to win…with the bat or with his glove. Two home runs off Sabathia in Game 1 says it all (Only Babe Ruth has ever done that before…2 HR’s in a World Series game..by a left-handed batter …against a left-handed pitcher…pretty exclusive company!) Advantage: PHILLIES
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins and Derek Jeter. The 2007 NL MVP vs. one of the all time great Yankees who had a resurgence this season with the bat and the glove. Jeter is a winner…and it’s the intangible that cannot be measured. Rollins is better with the glove…and rises to the occasion when the spotlight is on. Close call. Advantage: YANKEES
Third Base: Pedro Feliz and Alex Rodriguez. No debate. A-rod is one of the best players of all time…who was thriving for the first time in October..until Cliff Lee took the mound.
Feliz has an average bat…and a good glove…but he’s not A-rod. Advantage: YANKEES
Leftfield: Raul Ibanez and Johnny Damon. Ibanez has more power…is a better fielder…and Damon’s arm is weak at best. Damon hit the most home runs in his career this year with 24…but so did Ibanez with 34. Advantage: PHILLIES
Centerfield: Shane Victorino and Melky Cabrera. Victorino is another one of those Red Light players that seems to thrive when the pressure is on. He’s also a gold glove centerfielder. Cabrera started the season as a back up to Brett Gardner…but regained the starting job in July and provides some pop at the bottom of the Yankees order. Advantage: PHILLIES
Rightfield: Jayson Werth and Nick Swisher. Werth has come into his own this season…with career highs in home runs (36), RBI’s (99) and games played. He was an All Star for the first time this season…and may have room to get even better. Swisher also hit 29 home runs of his own…usually batting 8th in the Yankees order…but he has really struggled in the postseason.
Advantage: PHILLIES
Catcher: Carlos Ruiz and Jorge Posada. Don’t sell Ruiz short. For the second postseason in a row he has been a rock behind home plate and a clutch performer at the bat. Posada has more power…but he has lost a step behind the plate. Advantage: PHILLIES
Starting Pitching: I think the Yankees have the edge…but it’s a very close call…especially after Game 1. Cliff Lee was incredible…C.C Sabathia was good…but not great. After that…it’s a toss up. Who will be better ….Pedro or A.J ??? And will the real Cole Hamels please stand up ??? Does Andy Pettitte have another big game left in his bag of tricks ??? Before Game 1… I thought the Yankees had the advantage. After Game 1…I say it’s EVEN.
Relief pitching: Mariano Rivera tips this to the Yankees. He’s the best closer of all time…and as usual is the one key player that no other team has. Brad Lidge was brutal during the regular season…shaky but efficient so far in the playoffs. The other relievers …on both teams …are no guarantees. Advantage: YANKEES
Prediction: I made this before I saw Game 1…
Phillies in 5.
Howard, Utley and Rollins are the best players the Phillies have ever had at their respective positions. Sprinkle in Cliff Lee…Shane Victorino…Jayson Werth…and add a little burst of Pedro magic…and the Phillies will repeat.