World Series still Far from Over

Yankees turning to Old Guard to take control of Series

Oct 31, 2009

With Cole Hamels pitching, the Phillies are looking to take command of the World Series at home against the New York Yankees.

After a dominating pitching performance by Cliff Lee in game One and timely hitting and a dominating pitching performance by A.J. Burnett, the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are tied one game a piece in the World Series.

The advantage lies with the Phillies. They're heading back to play the next three games in Citizen's Bank Park. Not only does the National League get an advantage in having the pitcher bat, but the Phillies expect to play in front of the racious Phillie faithfuls.

Keys to Series

Cole Hamels pitches on Halloween. Hamels hasn't been as sharp as he was last season, his earned run average this postseason is 6.75 in 14.2 innings pitched, winning one game and losing another.

The Phillies have been getting good offense from second baseman Chase Utley, hitting two home runs off C.C. Sabathia in game one. Raul Ibanez leads the team with three hits in eight at bats during the World Series.

The Yankees will turn to Andy Pettitte to oppose Hamels. Pettitte won game six against to close out the American League Championship Series. Pettitte's had a strong postseason with a 2-0 record, 2.37 ERA in 19.0 innings pitched and 15 strikeouts.

Pettitte has shown that he's capable of winning big games in previous postseasons, so Hamels will have to be sharp in order for the Phillies to win. Pettitte also has success in shutting down the powerful Phillies left handed hitters.

For the Yankees, The team is led by captain Derek Jeter. Jeter, batting .500 has four hits in eight at bats. Hideki Matsui is second on the team, with three hits, including one home run. Matsui will be religated to pinch hitting duty in Philadelphia because of the loss of the designated hitter.

Power hitting thirdbaseman Alex Rodriguez entered the World Series on a hot streak, leading the team in many offensive categories. He's been uncommonly silent in the World Series. Expect him to make some sort of impact during the next few games.

Citizens Bank Ballpark opened in 2004 and quickly became known as a hitters park because of the dimensions. The dimensions in left centerfield, deemed 'The Angle' allows a unique power alley for right handed hitters that should be exploited by the Yankees. The left handed hitters should be encouraged byt the small 330 foot distance to the foul pole in right field. Look for classic Yankees pull hitters like Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano to pull the ball around the foul pole for home runs.

This series is shaping up to be a good series, one of the better ones in recent memory. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has named Joe Blanton as the starter in game four. He will most likely go up against Sabathia as the Yankees want to keep it a three man rotation for the postseason.

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