Breaking Down the Rays and the Phillies
World Series Matchup Features Explosive Offenses and Shaky Pitching
Hitting: The Rays have a young lineup that is led by the power hitting combo of centerfielder B.J. Upton and third baseman Evan Longoria and is littered with solid hitters like Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Cliff Floyd. The Rays, for all intensive purposes, play like an NL team, employing the often disastrous DH by committee (ask Mariners fans how well that works). This actually might work into The Rays favor when the series moves to Philadelphia, because the Rays won’t sacrifice their defense to incorporate a poor-fielding bat.
The Phillies also have a powerful, albeit not quite as young lineup, led by Office temp Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, with Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell and Jayson Werth in support. And while Tampa is similar to an NL team, the Phillies have more in common with an AL Team. The Phils have the option of moving Howard into the DH role and put a much better fielder in at first base (like Greg Dobbs), which improves both the lineup and the defense. Or, the Phillies can put Matt Stairs, who feasts on fastballs, to DH and keep Howard at first. On paper, the two teams are pretty even on offense.
Defense: The Rays were the best defensive team in the regular season, but contracted a severe bout of iron glove in the last four games against Boston. Longoria is the best fielding third baseman in baseball, and Carlos Pena is quite good at first. The outfield, with Upton and Crawford, is speedy and can cover a ton of lawn, which will come in play more in Tampa than it will in the bandbox known as Citizen Bank Park.
The Phillies are okay but not great, but will be helped by moving Howard off the diamond in Tampa. Shane Victorino and Werth are good outfielders, although Burrell is so-so in left. Pedro Feliz is adequate at third, while Rollins is a little overrated at short.
Starting Pitching: This is probably the most obvious advantage for The Rays, who have four superb young starters. James Shields had issue in his last start against Boston, but he is the team’s most consistent pitcher. Scott Kazmir, a lefty, should give the Philadelphia hitters problems, and Garza was lights-out against Boston.
The Phillies will have Cole Hamels and his devastating change-up pitch game one. However, Hamels allows a disconcerting number of home runs, which could be a problem against Tampa’s big bats. Beyond him, Brett Myers has been more fortunate than dominant this postseason, Jamie Moyer is finally pitching like he’s 45 and Joe Blanton is barely worth mentioning. It could be a long series for the Philly starters.
Relief Pitching: After a remarkable regular season, the Rays pen had serious issues against Boston. Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler and J.P. Howell all had issues against the Red Sox. Maddon didn’t even use Balfour in game seven. However, there are enough lefties to give the Philly hitter, especially Ryan Howard, fits.
The Phillies have the highly-combustible Brad Lidge at closer, but also have solid relievers in Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin and a lefty specialist in J.C. Romero. The Phillies will depend more on their relievers than the Rays because of Phillies subpar starting pitching.
Fans: Tampa fans have rooted for a terrible team for about a decade, although interest in this year’s team didn’t begin to show until September. Philly fans are a little crazy and vicious, but have a ton of passion and are quite smart. There’s a high probability that a Rays pitcher, probably Garza, will start weeping because of all the insults and boos thrown at him.
Prediction: Rays in Five, with abysmal ratings and Fox Executives drowning their sorrows in cheap bourbon and reality show pitches.
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