World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Yankees

By the end of the week, the World Series match up will be set.  Is there any doubt that it will be the Phillies vs. the Yankees?  It could make for a great, close and exciting series.  Not so much for Mets fans.

Who will Mets fans root for?

I will root for the Phillies, the lesser of two evils.  To me, the Yankees are the bigger evil.  Having to live among Yankee fans makes it much more difficult. I  don't like their smug attitude.  Anyway, I have a large Philly Fanatic family, and that makes my choice easier.

Now, I'll take an objective look at the series. 

The Yankees are playing great.  They haven't been hitting that much, but they've been clutch, especially late in games.  A-Rod has been the best of them all.  Their pitching has been even better.  Sabathia,  Burnett, and Pettitte are pitching well and deep into games.  Their bullpen is loaded.  Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Mariano Rivera are an outstanding trio.  And Alfredo Aceves and David Robertson have been great.  In the World Series, when playing in the National League Park, the Yankees will have to pinch hit earlier and more often, for their pitchers:  thus, such a deep bullpen will be a great advantage.

The Phillies will be severe underdogs.  Other than their line up, they aren't nearly as deep as the Yankees.  They do have a great line up - Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Werth, Ibanez, Feliz, and Ruiz.  There is not a weak spot.  The catcher, Carlos Ruiz, in the 8th spot has been one of their hottest hitters.

Can the Phillies pitching keep pace with the Yankees?  That is a big question.  Their starters are Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Pedro Martinez, and Joe Blanton.  Even if they can keep pace, their relievers can not.  The Phillies bullpen is a mess right now.  Ryan Madson in the 8th inning, and Brad Lidge in the 9th inning can not and will not close the door on the Yankees.

It's amazing how quickly another baseball season will be ending.  The good news is that a seven game series will last until November 5th.  After that it will be only 102 days until pitchers and catchers report for the 2010 baseball season.

Danny