With the Lincoln Tunnel at Exit 17 and the Walt Whitman Bridge at Exit 3 the 2009 World Series is also the “Battle of the New Jersey Turnpike”. Its cheesesteaks vs. cheesecakes, cream cheese vs. bagels, hoagies vs. heroes, ”wuddur” vs. “wuttah”.
The NL Champs Philadelphia Phillies will defend their 2008 crown against the AL Champs New York Yankees in this year’s World Series. Game 1 is tonight with C.C. Sabathia on the mound in the Bronx facing new Phils ace Cliff Lee. A big surprise came when the Phillies announced that they would start old-timer Pedro Martinez in Game 2 in place of last year’s Series MVP (and Rancho Bernardo native) Cole Hamels, who has struggled on the road this year. Pedro, of course, has plenty of experience facing the pinstripes in a hostile enviroment and has pitched well down the stretch. He will go up against the streaky A.J. Burnett on Thursday night, with Hamels and Pettitte to start in Game 3. Let’s take a look at the matchup advantages:
Pitching
NY starters have been better than expected in the postseason and with C.C. going 3 times if needed, the Phillies will have their work cut out. Philly’s starters match up well but the Yanks bullpen, up until late, have been strong. Closer Brad Lidge has held his own but is known to crumble under pressure whereas Mariano Rivera revels in it.
Advantage: Yankees
Offense
The bats are alive on both sides and the timing couldn’t be better. Arod has showed his worth so far this October…can he keep it going when it counts most? Other than Nick Swisher and Mark Texiera, the Yankee bats are taking care of business, which spells trouble for the team down south. Philly will look to see more production out of Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins and hope Victorino and Werth can stay hot. The Yankees power gives them the edge in this category.
Advantage: Yankees
Defense
Not since Tino Martinez, have Yankees fans seen solid play at 1st base. Texiera has brought that back for NY but the Phillies are loaded with athletes on this side of the ball. The Yanks benefited off of Angels errors in the ALCS, but shouldn’t rely on the same in the World Series. As good as Jeter is overall, he still struggles going left and is a liability in that one groundball situation. Add in Cano’s laziness and Arod’s likelihood to botch a big moment, I give the Phillies the edge here, especially on the infield.
Advantage: Phillies
X-factor
Neither team thinks anyone can beat them right now, and who could blame them? The World Series sets the stage for a new hero to step up. Both teams are loaded with stars, but who will be the role player who breaks it open this week and leads their team to a championship by overachieving? Pedro? Melky? Swish? Considering a potential 3 games without a DH, the Yankees may have to rely on the little guys to win games, as they have done in the past (Scott Brosius! Aaron Boone!). The Phillies were in this situation last year and edge the Yanks in championship experience (hard to believe, I know) but New Yankee Stadium will become the House that Tex Built this November. You heard it here first.
Advantage: even
I like my Yankees taking the Series in 6 games at home and Mariano Rivera to win the Series MVP. Leave your picks.
no waaay Phils go back to back. Yanks back on top in 09. Get used to it.
Yankees in 6
Mo for MVP!
Goose
October 28th, 2009
Yankees in 6
MVP: A-Rod
It will be eerily similar to the Angels series. Girardi bound to screw up in Philly with the DH out of the line-up.
LET’S GO YANKEES!!
Anthony Morin
October 28th, 2009
Yanks in 5 arod the mvp
daniel
October 28th, 2009
yanks in 6
is it college basketball season yet?
Matty
October 28th, 2009
I think the matchup is fairly evenly matched, but lets face it…the NL is nothing to write home about. And the Yanks aren’t the Devil Rays. Rivera and the Yanks in 6.
j_esquire
October 28th, 2009
LETS GO YANKEES! LETS GO YANKEES! LETS GO YANKEES!
WHO GONNA RUN THIS TOWN TONIGHT? LETS HEAR IT FOR NEW YORK! NEW YORK! NEW YORK! NEW YORK!
Mrs. Morin
October 28th, 2009
Morin family is dominating the comment board today. Where are all the Philly fans? Up early drinking $1 PBR cans at Olde City?! already?
Goose
October 28th, 2009
*yawn*
Miss Paige
October 28th, 2009
just cuz the Pads aren’t in it? really? oh those San Diego fans
Goose
October 28th, 2009
“yawn” is right. It doesn’t matter whether its the world series or just a May game…baseball simply lacks in nearly any entertainment value. They better shorten up the season to end in August or September, because no one aside from the Yanks fans (assuming they are still in the hunt) even cares once football starts. I frankly would rather watch an exhibition basketball game than watch the Phillies and Yanks play in September, October or November.
j_esquire
October 28th, 2009
UPDATE:
NEW YORK (AP)—The Yankees have made two roster changes for the World Series, adding right-handed reliever Brian Bruney(notes) and utilityman Eric Hinske(notes).
Pinch-runner Freddy Guzman(notes) and catcher Francisco Cervelli(notes) were dropped Wednesday.
Goose
October 28th, 2009
Yankees in 7
Go Yankees!!
Trish
October 28th, 2009
Is there any scenario where neither teams wins? Good thing I’m going out of town for work, might not be able to catch any games. Oh well.
Joey
October 28th, 2009
Phillies in 7
Jimbo
October 28th, 2009
http://twitpic.com/nadfu
gay
Jimbo
October 28th, 2009
ha. Whats a Mets fan to do? Shed a tear, I guess. Like I say…get used to it. Mets will remain the inferior team in the big apple.
Goose
October 28th, 2009
Just make sure you wear that Mets hat down there in sunny AZ.
Phils in 6.
BTW - Phils have the edge as far as pitching is concerned.
Matt
October 29th, 2009
easy to say after Lee pitches the game of his life.
Goose
October 29th, 2009
That little black guy said Phillies in 5 so what the hell, He was convincing. I am going Phillies in 5. The better pick is; In how many hours at Matty’s halloween party will the first girl come storiming out of Matty’s room insulted and tainted for life? I will say 3 hourse into the party.
Sweet Lue
October 29th, 2009
I aplogize for my horrible spelling above. (hours) Too much dayquil already.
Sweet Lue
October 29th, 2009