The World Series this year contains many interesting storylines and subplots. It features the defending World Series Champion Phillies vs. the 100+ win Yankees. Ex teammates Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia will duel to in Game 1 and try to set the tone for the series. Pedro Martinez will face his "daddies" once again. The two most dominant hitters in this post-season will go head to head in Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez. Here are five questions that will go a long way in deciding the series:
1. Which Team Will Be Able To Consistently Score Runs?
There is bound to be many home runs hit in this series as these are the top home run hitting teams in their respective leagues and both Citizens Bank Park and Yankkee Stadium are great hitters parks. Solo home runs rarely beat a team so the question is, which team will be able to put runners on base ahead of their big sluggers. With the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, and Chase Utley are all scrappy hitters who always give professional at bats and seem to play their best in the biggest moments. As for the Yankees, Derek Jeter has long been one of the toughest outs in baseball in the post-season. Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira have both been quiet in this post season, though. As for the bottom of the orders, for the Phillies, Raul Ibanez is the best 6th hitter in baseball and a legit power threat, while Carlos Ruiz has gotten some huge post-season hits for the Phillies in the last two years. As for the Yankees, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera have been relatively quiet in this post-season and Nick Swisher's troubles have been well documented. Overall, the Phillies' lineup has been a little more consistent offensively in this post-season so they get the edge here.
2. Will the Yankees' Middle Relief Hold Up?
The Yankees' middle relief, believed to be a strength going into the playoffs, has been one of their biggest weaknesses. Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes have both struggled. Alfredo Aceves had problems when he got his chance. Damaso Marte and Phil Coke have not pitched much in this post-season but they will likely be called upon in this series, with all the big lefty bats the Phillies have. Marte had an ERA over 9 in limited action this season and Coke's was 4.50 and he was very prone to the home run ball. The Yankees better get length from their starters because this middle relief vs. the Phillies imposing lineup is a scary proposition.
3. Will Brad Lidge Be Able To Shut The Door In The Ninth?
The Yankees have feasted of opponents' closers all year including the post-season. Brad Lidge, who was perfect last year in save opportunities, had a miserable season this year. He went 0-8 with 11 blown saves and an ERA over 7. There is talk, though, that he was not 100% in the regular season but is fully healthy now. He has been great in the post-season. There is bound to be one or two games in this series where Lidge will be called upon in a save situation. He needs to shut the door if the Phillies are to win this series. Lidge has been a different pitcher in this post-season and the feeling here is that he will get the job done.
4. Which Team Has The Better Starting Pitching?
The Yankees are likely to go with a three man rotation again, which means Sabathia could potentially pitch three times. If Lee isn't as good as Sabathia, he is pretty darn close. As for the #2 starters, it looks like Pedro Martinez will face A.J. Burnett. Pedro is coming off a gem, while Burnett is coming off a rough start. Pedro gets a slight edge here. As for the #3 starters, lefties Cole Hamels and Andy Pettitte will match up. Pettitte has been much better this year than Hamels, so he gets the edge here. Joe Blanton or A.J. Happ could get the game 4 nod for the Phillies and it's hard to trust either one of those guys against this Yankee lineup. Overall, the Yankees get the edge when it comes to starting pitching.
5. Which Team Has The Intangibles?
The Phillies are the more experienced team as far as playing in the World Series. Most of their players were there last year, where as many of the Yankees will be playing in their first fall classic. The Phillies may not have the talent advantage over the Yankees but they are the tougher, grittier team and they know how to win big games. They are also unlikely to help the Yankees with poor fundamental play like the Twins and Angels did. Charlie Manuel has already won a World Series as a manager. While Girardi has gotten the team this far, he still makes many questionable decisions. The intangibles edge goes to the Phillies.
Final Analysis:
The Phillies continue to overachieve and find ways to win. They are tough, gritty, and clutch. They won as underdogs in the Series last year and they figure to do it again this year.
Prediction: Phillies in 6
