Someone asked me for my prediction for the World Series. I can’t go into a whole breakdown as I have been busy with my new job, but I figured I’d go position by position and say who I think has the edge. So, here goes:
1st Base (Phillies – Ryan Howard; Yankees – Mark Teixeira): Phillies
2nd Base (Phillies – Chase Utley; Yankees – Robinson Cano): Phillies
Shortstop (Phillies – Jimmy Rollins; Yankees – Derek Jeter): Push
3rd Base (Phillies – Pedro Feliz; Yankees – Alex Rodriguez): Yankees
Catcher (Phillies – Carlos Ruiz; Yankees – Jorge Posada): Yankees
Left Field (Phillies – Raul Ibanez; Yankees – Johnny Damon): Phillies
Center Field (Phillies – Shane Victorino; Yankees – Melky Cabrera): Phillies
Right Field (Phillies – Jason Werth; Yankees – Nick Swisher): Phillies
Designated Hitter (Phillies – Francisco/Stairs; Yankees – Hideki Matsui): Yankees
Starting Pitching: Phillies
Relief Pitching: Yankees
Bench: Yankees
Managers (Phillies – Charlie Manuel; Yankees – Joe Girardi): Phillies
That gives the Phillies an edge as I see it in the different phases of the game 7 to 5 with 1 push. The push at SS is based on Jimmy Rollins defensive abilities in comparison to Jeter’s. Rollins has so much more range. He is also the emotional leader of the team and he seems to be getting his bat back too. If Jimmy continues to hit well, SS could become an advantage for the Phillies. At catcher, if Carlos (Señor Octobre) Ruiz continues to hit the way he has this post season, catcher becomes an advantage for the Phillies. The Phillies also have a clear advantage all across the outfield.
However, as is always the case with baseball, it comes down to pitching. I give the Phillies the edge at starting pitching because they go deeper than the Yankees. CC Sabathia is a great pitcher, but his numbers against the Phillies have been less than impressive. In 5 starts against the Phillies, including one in the NLDS last year for the Brewers, he has a 1-2 record with a 5.51 ERA. If he pitches Games 1 and 4, the Phillies will probably only have to beat him once to win the series. As for relief pitching, I give a slight nod to the Yankees because I am still concerned about Brad Lidge. Mariono Rivera is a Hall of Fame closer and Lidge has still been shaky. If Lidge finds his 2008 form, then this becomes a push at worst for the Phillies.
All in all, I like the Phillies chances. My prediction: Phillies in 6.
1st Base (Phillies – Ryan Howard; Yankees – Mark Teixeira): Phillies
2nd Base (Phillies – Chase Utley; Yankees – Robinson Cano): Phillies
Shortstop (Phillies – Jimmy Rollins; Yankees – Derek Jeter): Push
3rd Base (Phillies – Pedro Feliz; Yankees – Alex Rodriguez): Yankees
Catcher (Phillies – Carlos Ruiz; Yankees – Jorge Posada): Yankees
Left Field (Phillies – Raul Ibanez; Yankees – Johnny Damon): Phillies
Center Field (Phillies – Shane Victorino; Yankees – Melky Cabrera): Phillies
Right Field (Phillies – Jason Werth; Yankees – Nick Swisher): Phillies
Designated Hitter (Phillies – Francisco/Stairs; Yankees – Hideki Matsui): Yankees
Starting Pitching: Phillies
Relief Pitching: Yankees
Bench: Yankees
Managers (Phillies – Charlie Manuel; Yankees – Joe Girardi): Phillies
That gives the Phillies an edge as I see it in the different phases of the game 7 to 5 with 1 push. The push at SS is based on Jimmy Rollins defensive abilities in comparison to Jeter’s. Rollins has so much more range. He is also the emotional leader of the team and he seems to be getting his bat back too. If Jimmy continues to hit well, SS could become an advantage for the Phillies. At catcher, if Carlos (Señor Octobre) Ruiz continues to hit the way he has this post season, catcher becomes an advantage for the Phillies. The Phillies also have a clear advantage all across the outfield.
However, as is always the case with baseball, it comes down to pitching. I give the Phillies the edge at starting pitching because they go deeper than the Yankees. CC Sabathia is a great pitcher, but his numbers against the Phillies have been less than impressive. In 5 starts against the Phillies, including one in the NLDS last year for the Brewers, he has a 1-2 record with a 5.51 ERA. If he pitches Games 1 and 4, the Phillies will probably only have to beat him once to win the series. As for relief pitching, I give a slight nod to the Yankees because I am still concerned about Brad Lidge. Mariono Rivera is a Hall of Fame closer and Lidge has still been shaky. If Lidge finds his 2008 form, then this becomes a push at worst for the Phillies.
All in all, I like the Phillies chances. My prediction: Phillies in 6.
