Instead of going on a long winded diatribe and putting our great fan base to sleep with a number of stats and meticulous match-up breakdowns that will be available on a number of other websites, I want to facilitate discussion on the site and get input from you, the reader and knowledgeable sports fan.
We know the deal with the Yankees: this is their 40th trip to the World Series and they are stacked with players who have been there before and know how to win. Add in Teixeira, Burnett, Sabathia, Swisher and a billion dollars in payroll over the last four years and it is no surprise they will contend for title #27.
The Phillies are the defending Champions, but have flown under the radar because of their unreliable bullpen which has blown countless saves in 2009. Few experts gave the Phillies a chance to defend their title, but here they are with a chance to be the first NL team since the 1975-76 Reds to win back to back titles.
It is rare that you have the two best offensive teams competing for a championship, but for the sake of baseball’s ratings, this is what we fortunately have on tap. Ironically, it will probably be the lowest scoring World Series in history. Both of the ballparks are launching pads and almost all of the marquee hitters for both teams are playing well. Throw in the passion of each city and the World Series will probably be an epic, seven game series that will go down as one for the ages. Here are my questions for the readers:
Will the performance of each bullpen be the deciding factor? Will the Phillies find a reliable second starter to compliment Cliff Lee? Will we get the dominant Brad Lidge of 2008, or the disaster waiting to happen of 2009? Will both teams continue to play great defense, or will one team (pull an Angels and) give the series away with a number of unforced errors? Can A-Rod and Ryan Howard continue to produce? Who will be the unsung hero that will emerge and make a difference for either team? Who will DH for the Phillies? Can Mariano Rivera continue to deliver and add to his 37 postseason saves? Will Andy Pettitte close out another series and add to his record-setting 16 post season wins? Will Mark Teixeira be able to produce from the right side of the plate against Philly’s wealth of left handed pitchers? Will Posada be a defensive liability? Who is going to win? How many games will it take? Which manager will be the better tactician? Which manager will be a liability? Will Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell join Kate Hudson in the stands in Yankee stadium? Who will be the MVP? Which fan base will demonstrate the worst sportsmanship? Which spite storyline will be the ultimate catalyst? Will the Cleveland Indians front office throw themselves off a bridge for allowing Cliff Lee and Sabathia to leave town?
I am ready to interact, so let’s get it on. I have no definitive read on this series and think it is 50/50 that either team will win. Even though my parents were born in Philly and I would like to see the Phillies win, I have to stick to my guns and stay with the Yankees who I have predicted would win since late April. Yankees in 7.
Woodman – is baseball even relevant anymore????
Filed under: Baseball Tagged: | a-rod, AJ Burnett, Brad Lidge, CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Derrick Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Mark Teixeira, MLB World Series, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Howard
I don’t pretend to be a MLB die-hard, but I will get past my Orioles-educed-jadedness just in time to catch World Series fever. Of course I’d like to see the Yankees lose, preferably in heartbreaking fashion, but more than that I’d like to see a captivating series that last seven games.
Must be tough for Mets fans right now…Enemy #1 and #1a in the World Series. Who do you root for?
My first hope is that the weather gets really bad and they have to cancel games. I want this series to get dragged out until the end of November so people can admit to me the season is too long. My only other hope is that whoever wins will win it on the road. I cant stand the thought of a stadium full of happy people.
Gordon – I noticed you posted that comment during the MNF game, which explains the anger. I agree that the baseball season is too long. NFL and NCAA football are so exciting b/c every game is important.
I posted that at 9:09am today which speaks more to my feelings about work. I dont think they will ever shorten the MLB season until the ny red sox and the boston yankees stop selling out games. Hopefully that will be in 2 years.
yankees r awesome!
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Honestly, I am not a die-hard fan of this sport but I bet this would be a tough head-to-head fight.
I really really really (to the infinity power) hate the Yankees. Unfortunately, I also think that they’re going to win. GO ROYALS haha.
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The Fightin’s will sweep in 4. It going to be a bloddy massacre right in time for Halloween!!!
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Well, as a die hard Red Sox fan, I HATE to see the Yankees win, but I do believe they will. When even Andy Petite and 100 yr. old Mariano Rivera (actually I have a lot of respect for that guy) are on their A game, they’re a hard team to beat. The Phillies will have to bring it to beat the juicin’ bats of the Yanks. They’re hope is to win the game A J Burnett is pitching, then maybe they’ll have a chance.
Go Phillies!
Huge phillies fan. Let’s go Phillies!
~ C.H.
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Let’s go Yankees, cha cha cha…
Something we can all agree on: All-Star Player’s wives line up: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-28/baseballs-sexiest-teammates/?cid=hp:mainpromo4#gallery=902;page=1
Hate to say it, but I still think the futbol’ers have it in the bag.
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