Joe Girardi has been quick to give the hook to a pitcher, and seems to be quite caught up in the stat books, relying more on them than than the baseball sense he must have in there somewhere. Manuel seems to be more of a touchy-feely manager, going more on heart and instinct. Both have the potential to make some puzzling decisions, but Manuel has a better pedigree than Girardi so far.
Advantage: Phillies.
Starting Rotation
C.C. Sebathia has been lights out, and Andy Pettite has been what every Yankee fan remembers from 1996. There’s no question that A.J. Burnett is the wild card for the Yankees, and questions still linger about a fourth starter.
Cliff Lee has been an ace for the Phillies, but that should be where the confidence starts to waiver for Phils’ fanatics. Pedro Martinez is not the pitcher he once was, and the Yankees have seen enough of him to handle him with ease.
Cole Hamels has been unimpressive leading up to the World Series, and looks to be the wild card for the Phillies. If Hamels is lights out, as he was in 2008, he could prove puzzling to the Yankee hitters.
While Charlie Manuel still hasn’t quite settled on his rotation for the World Series, it probably doesn’t matter. The Yankees are deadly at home, and with a shaky Hamels and a familiar foe in Pedro, the Yankees should have their way with the Phillies pitching.
Advantage: Yankees.
Bullpen
Aside from the closer, which is an obvious advantage for the Yankees, the Phillies bullpen is solid. Ryan Madson has been a godsend for them, and they have enough pieces to put together some innings when needed.
Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain have been spotty, and the rest of the Yankees bullpen have shown signs of vulnerability. While you would expect the Yankees starting pitching to go deep into the game, there is enough concern there to worry a Yankee fan.
The Yankees have a clear edge with Rivera. Safely getting to Rivera is the key for the Yankees.
Advantange: Even.
Infield
The Phillies have a clear advantage at first base, as Ryan Howard has shown why he makes the Phillies tick (.355, 2 HR, 14 RBI). Mark Teixeira has an edge defensively, but on his best day, he’s nowhere close to Howard at the plate.
Chase Utley has had a solid postseason so far (.303, 1 HR, 2 RBI), but Robinson Cano seemed to have had a light go on in game 6 against the Angels. Cano was everywhere, making plays in the field and on the bases. Cano is not hitting well (.229) but his defense is starting to make up for it.
The Jeter vs. Rollins debate is a fun one, and both are excellent players. Jeter is his normal self once again (.297, 3 HR, 4 RBI), and makes plays when they matter. Jeter is clutch enough to edge the matchup to New York at short stop.
Alex Rodriguez is on pace to have a postseason that people will talk about for years to come. Rodriguez (.438, 5 HR, 12 RBI) is simply taking over games with his legs, his bat, and his glove. There isn’t a part of his game right now that isn’t perfect. Pedro Feliz isn’t on the same planet.
Jorge Posada, while enduring some mental lapses when the game is on the line, has been a dependable, clutch hitter for the Yankees. Posada’s trouble is he’s slow enough to clog the bases, and is prone to the occasional thoughtless play. Carlos Ruiz of the Phillies has nearly identical stats to Posada, but won’t clog the bases as much, and surprisingly may give an edge to the Phillies at catcher.
Advantage: Yankees.
Outfield
The matchup clearly favors the Phillies in the outfield. Shane Victorino seems to raise his game in the playoffs, plays great defense, and is a surprisingly good hitter (.361, 3 HR, 7 RBI). Jason Werth may be the most underrated player in the league (.281, 5 HR, 10 RBI), and Raul Ibanez, while having a down year, is always capable of taking one deep.
Johnny Damon has a poor arm in left field. Melky Cabrera is average, and Nick Swisher has looked lost at the plate for most of the ALCS. While the Yankees outfield is solid, the Phillies outfield looks good enough to be a difference maker.
Advantage: Phillies.
Bench / Designated Hitter
Assuming most of the important bench play in the World Series will be at bats for the pitcher, the Yankees have a clear advantage. With Hideki Matsui, Eric Hinske, and Jorge Posada available (if Molina catches), the Yankees can back up the bats with the speedy Brett Gardner or Jerry Hairston, Jr.
The Phillies looks to have more of a utility bench, with players like Miguel Cairo and Ben Francisco. How the coaches use their bench and whether the Yankees can come up with big hits when called upon will be a huge factor in the World Series.
Advantage: Yankees.
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