Philadelphia Phillies Deserve More Respect from National Media

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Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees Meet in Exciting World Series Matchup

Many baseball fans have complained that the World Series has not been entertaining or memorable during the past few seasons.

Last year Philadelphia and Tampa Bay had the now-infamously suspended Game Five, which made that series memorable for all the wrong reasons.

In 2004, the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years, certainly memorable for Boston fans, but for the rest of the country the series was awful, with the Sox sweeping easily. That year’s American League Championship Series was much more entertaining than the World Series.

The last really good World Series? I would say 2001, when the New York Yankees faced off against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It took seven games and a walk off win to bring home the trophy. Couple that with all the emotion, especially emanating from New York following the biggest tragedy in the country since Pearl Harbor, and you have a series for the ages.

However, baseball fans, there is no need to fear this year.

The saying is that “to be the best, you have to beat the best,” and that holds true here. The Yankees, with the best record in Major League Baseball this year at 103-59 (the only team in the majors to win 100 games) square off against the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia versus New York has all the elements needed to make this year’s World Series truly exciting and memorable.

Geography

No, it’s not the Subway World Series of 2000 between the Yankees and Mets, but it’s still close.

This year it is the American League East champion against the National League East champion. With both cities separated by the New Jersey Turnpike and a rich sports history between the two fan bases (NFL’s Giants-Eagles rivalry anyone?), the geographic tension alone gives this matchup a boost in intensity.

Ballparks

If you’re going to any of the games, either at Yankee Stadium or Citizen’s Bank Park, make sure to bring your glove because there are sure to be a ton of souvenirs. Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia saw 207 home runs clear its fence, the most in the National League, while the new Yankee Stadium surrendered 237 home runs, the most in the American League.

Both teams led their respective leagues in runs scored.

Chicks dig the long ball, and so will everyone else that watches this series.

Star Power

Combined, the two teams have nearly a $315,000,000 payroll, 75 total All-Star appearances, five Cy Young awards, five MVP awards, and three World Series MVP awards.

I could also just list names: Derek Jeter, Ryan Howard, Alex Rodriguez, Chase Utley, Mark Teixeira, Jimmy Rollins, CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Mariano Rivera, Pedro Martinez, and Andy Pettitte.

These two teams are like their very own All-Star teams, having assembled the best talent in all of baseball. Now they will all be on one field in the sport’s biggest showcase.

Late Inning Heroics

Both these teams have a taste for dramatic wins.

The Yankees led all of major league baseball with 15 walk-off wins and 51 comeback victories in 2009. It wasn’t always the big boppers that got key hits either. Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher, and Robinson Cano all got chances to play the hero for New York.

The Phillies also have their fair share of walk-off wins, especially in big games. In last year’s World Series, Carlos Ruiz won Game Three with a walk off infield single , giving the Phillies a 2-1 series lead that they would not relinquish.

Just last week in the NLCS Game Four, Jimmy Rollins came through with a walk-off two run double with two outs, putting the Phillies ahead in the series 3-1, and demoralizing pitcher Jonathan Broxton and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

These two squads are full of players who are very confident in their, and the rest of their team’s, abilities. No deficit is too insurmountable and it’s never too late. Their penchant for coming from behind and making it interesting until the final out will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

Familiarity

Many fans who sought a Yankees and Dodgers matchup wanted to see Joe Torre back in the Bronx and while others wanted the opportunity to boo Manny Ramirez one more time.

However, these two teams are more familiar with each other than people realize.

For starters, Phillies reserve infielder Miguel Cairo played for the Yankees from 2004-2007.

In 2006, Yankees manager Joe Girardi got his start as the manager of Philadelphia’s division foes the Florida Marlins, where he was named National League Manager of the Year. That team went 6-13 against the Phillies that season.

Wednesday’s Game One starters—CC Sabathia for New York and Cliff Lee for Philadelphia—were teammates with the Cleveland Indians from 2002 to 2008.

Sabathia’s manager his first year and a half in the big leagues was Philadelphia’s current manager Charlie Manuel.

Probably the biggest tie between CC and the Phillies is last year’s NLDS, when Sabathia was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. In his one start in Game Two, Sabathia was shelled by the Phillies offensive powerhouse. He lasted only 3.2 innings, giving up six hits, four walks, and five runs. Lowlights included walking pitcher Brett Myers and giving up a grand slam to Shane Victorino.

While Manny Ramirez was certainly a popular nemesis to the Yankees, who was really New York’s No. 1 villain? That would be Martinez of course.

When asked about his history with the Yankees recently, Martinez replied, “Really? They have a long history with me.”

Pedro has a career record of 10-11 against the Yankees, and is 1-2 in the playoffs against them.  Statistics aside, the memories Martinez and the Yankees created have been juicy; perfect to elevate the entertainment of the series.

There was the time, in a bench clearing brawl, that Martinez pushed aside then-Yankee bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground. There was also the time Martinez was asked about the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry and he replied, “I don’t believe in rivalries. I don’t believe in curses. Wake up the damn Bambino, maybe I’ll drill him in the ass.”

And of course, after a late-season loss to the Yankees, Martinez said in a post-game interview, “I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddies.”

Martinez against the Yankees is first class theatre. Martinez in the playoffs is domination. He is a career 6-2 in the postseason, including a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA in the World Series.

How much more drama can fans ask for?

History

Finally, there is the prospect of both clubs making history.

For the Yankees, a win would give them their 27th title, extending their stranglehold on the MLB record. It would also be their first championship since their victory in the 2000 series.

The Phillies have an opportunity to be the first team to repeat as champions since the Yankees did it in 1998, 1999, and 2000. They would also be the first National League team to win consecutive titles since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds.

Both these teams are deserving of playing for the championship. They both have become teams that live to play in the huge moments like those that await them in the series. The teams are fearless and confident, and they will not back down to the other squad; rather they will answer every challenge that is brought up.

It is sure to be an exhilarating series, just you watch.

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Broad Street vs. Broadway: Bring It on, New York

It is the storied franchise against the defending World Series Champions, the Bronx Bombers vs. Dem Phightin Phils, Philly vs. New York, and yes, it’s Broad Street vs. Broadway, baby.

So roll up your sleeves and get ready for one helluva roller coaster ride as the Phils travel to the Bronx to duke it out with the evil empire as the last seven games of the season are set to commence on Wednesday.

Now this is a fall classic!

The pretty boys in black and grey will square off against the scrappy defending champions adorned in red and white, in a matchup that has everyone from your grandmother to your next door neighbor talking.

As the season closed this year, many expressed the sentiment that it would be what is being called a “turnpike series.”

I know it’s a pretty bad tag, but let’s get beyond that, shall we?

Make no mistake about it: There is no love here between the two teams. Although they play in opposite leagues, Philly and New York are just as much rivals as Kane and Able. They hold just as much disdain for one another as a Blue Jay does for a Cardinal.

Yikes, where did that come from?

This Wednesday will feature two pitchers who donned the same jersey at one point in their careers, only to make their exodus for greener pastures, and lo and behold they did it: Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia.

Lee, the dominant and unbeatable postseason grace afforded to the Phillies, will enter in this contest still shouldering the burden of something to prove; he is that damn good.

Lee has been nothing short of spectacular, making most people feel he has attained indomitable form, utilizing an incredible changeup that rears four different looks, as well as utilizing two types of fastballs that have left most hitters seething at the plate.

On the other side is Sabathia, who simply pitches to win. Sabathia is a gritty pitcher who will not win with grace and form, rather he’ll win with a forceful, almost commanding notion of a “beat me if you can” approach.

And this is just the pitching.

The Phils boast a league best in RBI, road wins, HRs, and just about everything else you can think of.

The Yanks boast A-Rod, Jeter, Damon, Cabrera, and a dominant starting rotation.

But it is that rotation that comes into serious question as we approach Game One.

Yes, the Yankees have pitched well, but a three-man rotation? Unless I missed something, you don’t tax your starting pitchers at the most important time of the year. Apparently the Yankees felt this was a good idea.

Now, with nominal rest at best, the Yankees have to deal with the best hitting, run producing machine in all of baseball. And after their famed two-game start at home, they will have to do it for three in Philadelphia. Trust me, “The City of Brotherly Love” will quickly become “The City of We Hate Your Freakin Guts!”

Resting a team of potent hitters doesn’t come without its price, however.

The series will open up in some pretty frigid temperatures, and the resting bodies of the Phillies’ hitting squad will be a bit tighter than their Yankee counterparts, so errors and a discerning eye on the ball when hitting will be the most important factor in Game One.

If the Phils can jump out to a big lead early, they can set the tone in this contest as they quest for another World Series title.

Follow this link for a Game One breakdown.

 

This article is also featured in my column at Fanhuddle.com called Phillies Phlash.

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Phillies Fans’ World Series Dream Finally Realized

It was midway through the season when I said on Bleacher Report that I wanted a Phillies-Yankees World Series. At that point, I stated that the Yankees would win in six games.

Now that I am here, I want it all.

Sabathia, Pettitte, Rivera, Rodriguez, Jeter, Damon, and Posada.

Lee, Hamels, Martinez, Howard, Utley, Ibanez, and Werth.

There is more name power in the Yankees lineup. But let’s look at some numbers.

Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, and Jose Posada’s combined average is .299, buoyed by Jeter’s .344 regular season batting average.

Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jayson Werth’s combined average is .275.

Advantage, Yankees.

Power numbers? The four Yankees have 94 home runs and 329 RBI. Phillies’ four have 146 home runs and 426 RBI.

Not even close. The power numbers favor the Phillies.

C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee are consecutive AL Cy Young Award winners with the Indians. Sabathia was traded late last season to the Millwaukee Brewers and then signed a huge contract to come to the Yankees. Lee, the 2008 Cy Young Award winner, was traded to the Phillies for four prospects in the middle of the 2009 season.

Andy Pettitte came up huge in Game Six of the ALCS, while Pedro Martinez pitched seven shutout innings for the Phillies against the Dodgers and got a no-decision in the Dodgers’ only NLCS victory, 2-1.

New York won 31 of its last 39 regular season home games and finished with the best home record in the majors at 57-24.

Philadelphia was 48-33 on the road this season, tied for the best mark in the majors.

New York fans must believe that the tough ALCS was the real World Series for the Yankees and, if necessary, Sabathia will pitch in Game One, and on three days’ rest for Games Four and Seven.

They must also believe they have dominion over Pedro Martinez, as they are still his “daddy.” Um, 2004, Yankees fans?

The Los Angeles Dodgers improved their bullpen and shored up their starting rotation in 2009, and the Phillies hit all they threw at them, save Game One of the NLCS. The Phillies are 18-5 in playoff games in the past two postseasons.

Numbers, stats, home and away records, can all be juggled to favor either side. The Yankees have history on their side, with 26 World Series championships, while the Phillies are trying to become the first National League team since the Cincinnati Reds to win back-to-back World Series titles (1975-76).

So to be fair, the only way I can predict this World Series is to go game by game.

Game One: C.C. Sabathia pitches seven shutout innings, while Phil Hughes and Mariano Riveria close things out for a 3-0 Yankees victory. Series: 1-0 Yankees.

Game Two: Pedro Martinez gives up one run in seven innings as the game breaks open late for the Phillies with home runs from Howard and Werth in an 8-4 Phillies victory. Series: tied 1-1.

Game Three: Joe Blanton gives up four runs in a 7-3 Yankees victory. Series: 2-1 Yankees.

Game Four: The Phillies finally get to Sabathia, and Cliff Lee picks up the victory, 5-1 Phillies. Series: tied 2-2.

Game Five: The Phillies’ offense explodes again as Pedro Feliz’s three-run home run leads the attack in a 10-8 Phillies victory. Series: Phillies 3-2.

Game Six: Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez spark a 3-1 Yankees victory. Series: tied 3-3.

Game Seven: Rodriguez hits a walk-off home run to give the Yankees a 5-4 win and their 27th World Championship.

I was going to put a question mark in Game Seven, but Rodriguez can’t be held down forever, and I had to make a pick.

Who will be the hero? Will one team find the momentum and produce a sweep or five-game victory?

I think it will be a great series and hopefully no games are influenced by an absolute bar of soap like the one Angels pitcher Scott Kazmir threw in Game Six of the ALCS in the 5-2 Yankees win Sunday night.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Phillies-Yankees: 2009 World Series Preview

This is a preview of the 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees. Game 1 starts the series off on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. The article will break down every position including the bullpen, bench, and x-factors. The article will conclude with a prediction on the series.

Begin Slideshow

Phillies-Yankees World Series Preview

A position-by-position detailed analysis of the World Series matchup between the:

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees

 

First Base

NYY-Mark Teixeira may be the second-best all-around first baseman in the game. He is a .290 hitter with a lot of pop. Teixeira is a Gold Glove quality fielder with loads of athleticism.

 

While he had a MVP-caliber season, he has struggled mightily in the playoffs at the plate, although he has made more hen his fair share of run savings plays in the field to help his team reach the World Series.

 

PHI-Ryan Howard is the best power hitter in baseball over the last four years. He has the most HR’s and RBI in baseball during that span.

 

Despite his defensive shortcomings, in the last four years he has finish in the top 5 in MVP voting three times, including winning it once and one runner-up. Due to being much fitter this year he has improved his defense to average.

 

 

• OFFENSE:           TEIXEIRA-[][][][]            HOWARD-[][][][][]
• DEFENSE:             TEIXEIRA-[][][][][]         HOWARD-[][]1/2
• INTANGIBLES:      TEIXEIRA-[][][]              HOWARD-[][][][]1/2
• OVERALL:            TEIXEIRA-[][][][]           HOWARD-[][][][]1/2

 

 

These two first basemen were both MVP candidates this year. But with Howard’s experience from winning last years World Series and the fact that he, along with A-Rod, is the hottest hitter in the postseason, the over all edge goes to the power hitter from Philly.

 

 

 

Second Base

 

NYY-Robinson Cano is going to be a future all-star for years to come. He hits for a great average and puts the ball over the fence 15-20 time a year.  While he has a nice arm, he has limited range and has his share of errors. That said he has improved his defense year after year and is by no means a defensive liability.

 

PHI-Chase Utley is the best second-baseman in baseball. If he continues his offensive pace he will go down as the greatest slugging second-baseman of all time. Despite limited athleticism, he has willed himself into an excellent fielder. 

 

 

• OFFENSE              CANO-[][][][]                     UTLEY-[][][][]1/2
• DEFENSE:             CANO-[][][]                        UTLEY-[][][][]1/2
• INTANGIBLES:        CANO-[][]1/2                     UTLEY-[][][][][]
• OVERALL:             CANO-[][][]1/2                    UTLEY-[][][][]1/2

 

 

As good as Cano is, Utley is the best there is. Along with the fact he is clutch, he is also the clubhouse leader of his team and has come to represent what the Phillies are all about, much like the shortstop on the Yankees.

 

 

 

Shortstop

 

NYY-Derek Jeter, aka “The Captain”, is one of the most clutch player in postseason history. He is a career .419 hitter against left handers in the playoffs, a stat the Phillies are surely aware of.

 

While he has lost a step when it comes to running the bases, and fielding range, he still excels at being a  leader and a winner, two things he may have done better then any other player of his generation.

 

PHI-Jimmy Rollins is not your prototypical lead off hitter. He strikes out and pops out at a much higher rate then you want from your leadoff guy.

 

That said, when Rollins scores, the Phillies been almost unbeatable. He has good power and great speed. Defensively he is the two time defending Gold Glove winner, and looks to keep adding more to the trophy room for years to come.

 

 

• OFFENSE:            JETER-[][][][]1/2             ROLLINS-[][][][]
• DEFENSE:            JETER-[][][]1/2               ROLLINS-[][][][][]
• INTANGIBLES:       JETER-[][][][][]              ROLLINS-[][][][]
• OVERALL:            JETER-[][][][]1/2             ROLLINS-[][][][]

 

 

Both player are perennial all-stars. While it is had to pick between them, the slight edge has to go to Jeter for all he has accomplished, and what he represents to his team.

 

 

 

Third Base

 

NYY- Alex Rodriguez, scandals aside, is unarguably a top 5 player in baseball. He excels in every aspect of the game, his only flaw being his struggles in the postseason.

 

But so far this postseason, it seems he has put that behind him. Whether he is able to keep up the hot hitting in the World Series remains to be seen, but as of now he is a power to be reckoned with.

 

PHI-Pedro Feliz is a good third baseman who excels defensively. When he was with San Francisco, he had a bit more pop and hit for a higher average. Still, he is very consistent and does have his moments at the plate.

 

The Phillies depend on him to defend the hot corner, and he does just about as well as anyone in the league.

 

 

• OFFENSE:            RODRIGUEZ-[][][][][]      FELIZ-[][]1/2
• DEFENSE:            RODRIGUEZ-[][][][][]      FELIZ-[][][][]1/2
• INTANGIBLES:        RODRGIUEZ-[][][]           FELIZ-[][]
• OVERALL:            RODRIGUEZ-[][][][]1/2    FELIZ-[][]1/2

 

Catcher

 

NYY-Jorge Posada is the long time Yankee catcher. He may not be a defensive stalwart, but he sure has a lot of pop for a catcher.

 

Posada is no stranger to clutch performances and despite his recent discontent with being sat in the playoffs, the Yankees can always count on Posada to come to play.

 

PHI-Carlos Ruiz is known in Philly as “Chooch”.  During the regular season Ruiz is a very pedestrian hitter, but does run the bases well for a catcher.

 

But come October, Ruiz becomes one of the Phillies hardest outs, and that’s saying something. Behind the plate he is as solid as they come and his pitchers completely trust him and love to pitch to him.

 

 

• OFFENSE:            POSADA-[][][][]            RUIZ-[][][]1/2
• DEFENSE:             POSADA-[][][]              RUIZ-[][][][]
• INTANGIBLES:       POSADA-[][][][]            RUIZ-[][][][]
• OVERALL:             POSADA-[][][]1/2          RUIZ-[][][]1/2

 

Although they are completely different players, the impact they can have on their teams are relatively similar. Both players are uber clutch and are truly apart of the fabric of that is the souls of their teams. Both will rise to the occasion and give it everything they can, there for I see this matchup as a draw.

 

 

 

Left Field

 

NYY-Johnny Damon is coming off one of the best offensive seasons of his career. While he still has good range, he has the classic “wet noodle” for an arm. Damon does have a ton of experience in the postseason, and has responded in the big moment.

 

PHI-Raul Ibanez had the best year of his career at the age of 37. After May he was giving Albert Pujols a run for the MVP. After he came back from a foot injury, he never regained quite the same level of play.

 

Still, he has played well so far this postseason and knows this may be his last, best, only chance at a World Series ring.

 

 

• OFFENSE              DAMON-[][][]                   IBANEZ-[][][]1/2
• DEFENSE              DAMON-[][][]                   IBANEZ-[][][]
• INTANGIBLES        DAMON-[][][][]                 IBANEZ-[][][]
• OVERALL              DAMON-[][][]1/2               IBANEZ-[][][]1/2

 

This is as close to a draw as you can get. Both players have similar roles for their ballclub. Neither player is depended on to win the series for their team, but both are more then capable. In a series like this, matchups such as these could actually determine who win the series. Both players could be a dark horse or maybe even a dud.

 

Center Field

 

NYY-Melky Cabrera may have the least amount of name recognition of the starters on this Yankee team, but he is developing into a pretty good all-around baseball player.

 

Although he probably won’t win a Gold Glove in his immediate future, he plays a very good center field. His bat does leave a lot to be desired and for a center fielder with some range he does not steal nearly enough bases.

 

PHI-Shane Victorino is the Phillies mega source of energy. He is known as the Flying Hawaiian for his all or nothing approach in the field, for the havoc he causes on the base paths, and his numerous clutch moments. Simply Victorino the reigning Gold Glove winner and a run scoring machine.

 

 

• OFFENSE:            CABRERA-[][]              VICTORINO-[][][][]
• DEFENSE:            CABRERA-[][][][]         VICTORINO-[][][][][][]
• INTANGIBLES:      CABRERA-[][]1/2          VICTORINO-[][][][]1/2
• OVERALL:            CABRERA-[][]1/2          VICTORINO-[][][][]

 

Cabrera is a good young player but Victorino has the whole package. Victorino competes as hard as anyone in baseball and may remind many Phillies fans of a player known belovedly as “Charlie Hustle.”

 

 

 

Right Field

 

NYY-Nick Swisher is nothing if not consistent. He will bat .250, belt 30 HR’s and drive in 80 runs. While he will get you those consistent numbers, he does not contribute much in the field.

 

If the Yankees did not sign Teixeira, Swisher would be at first base. Whatever the Yankees get out of Swisher this series will come as a bonus, as long as he stays out of trouble in the field and on the basepaths.

 

PHI-Jayson Werth is a budding superstar. He fills up the box score in all facets of the game. He is coming off a season where he had  just under a 100 runs and RBI as well as 20 stolen bases.

 

He plays a great right field, has the range to where he could easily be a center fielder, and has a cannon for an arm. The Phillies may not be able to afford keeping Werth after this World Series, but for now he is one more weapon for the Phillies.

 

 

• OFFENSE:        SWISHER-[][][][] WERTH-[][][][]1/2
• DEFENSE          SWISHER-[][]1/2 WERTH-[][][][]1/2
• INTANGIBLES    SWISHER-[][][] WERTH-[][][]
• OVERALL          SWISHER-[][][] WERTH-[][][][]

 

Swisher is a nice player but Werth does more for things in more ways for then Phillies, then Swisher does for the Yankees. Swisher could have an impact on this series, Werth is expected to have an impact.

 

 

Potential DH

 

NYY-Hideki Matsui is a professional hitter. He has the ability to help the Yankees with his bat throughout the series. He understands how to approach pitchers, and even if he does  not end up with gaudy stats he will be a tough out for all the Phillies pitchers.

 

PHI-Matt Stairs and Ben Francisco will DH depending on the lefty/righty matchup. Stairs possesses more power but Francisco can gap a ball for a triple as well as steal bases.

 

Another option is against lefties, the Phillies could have Francisco play LF and have Ibanez DH.

 

 

• OFFENSE:            MATSUI-[][][]1/2    STAIRS/FRANCISCO-[][]1/2
• INTANGIBLES:        MATSUI-[][][][]       STAIRS/FRANCISCO-[][][]
• OVERALL:            MATSUI-[][][]1/2     STAIRS/FRANCISCO-[][]1/2

 

Starting Pitchers

 

NYY- Sabathia, Burnett, and Pettitte and maybe Chamberlain make up the Yankees rotation. While Sabathia has had trouble in the past performing in the postseason, so far he has been a beast for the Yankees.

 

Burnett has great stuff but has and is struggling with consistency. Pettitte no longer throws as hard as he used to but he is a big game pitcher and almost always gives the Yankees a chance to win.

 

PHI-Lee, Hamels, Martinez, Blanton make up the Phillies four-man rotation. Although I see them using a four-man rotation I do see Lee pitching whenever Sabathia pitches. Hamels, last year’s World Series MVP, has struggled mightily this postseason and has not been consistent all year.

 

Blanton is a work horse and like Pettitte always give the Phillies a chance to win. Martinez gives the Phillies the crafty experienced right hander.

 

The Phillies may be counting on that experience in Game 2 as they believe Martinez would hold up better in the Bronx then the struggling Hamels.

 

 

• STUFF:                  NYY-[][][][]1/2                  PHI-[][][][]
• CONSISTENCY:       NYY-[][][]1/2                    PHI-[][][][]
• INTANGIBLES:         NYY-[][][]1/2                    PHI-[][][][]
• OVERALL:               NYY-[][][][]                      PHI-[][][][]

 

 

Bullpen

 

NYY-While Coke, Hughes and the rest of the bunch make for a fine bullpen, it’s the closer that sets this bullpen apart from all others.

 

Even at his advanced age, Mariano Rivera is still the man when it comes to closing a game out. If the Phillies don’t find success in their first seven innings often then this will probably be a very short series.

 

PHI- Despite the Phillies bullpen being much maligned coming into these playoffs, they have performed exceptionally. Most of that is to the reemergence of their closer Brad Lidge.

 

If Lidge can keep up the good work and the rest of the bullpen holds form, then the Phillies will have every chance to win in any situation.

 

 

• STUFF:                  NYY-[][][][][]                    PHI-[][][][]
• CONSISTENCY:       NYY-[][][][]1/2                  PHI-[][][]1/2
• INTANGIBLES:         NYY-[][][][][]                    PHI-[][][]1/2
• OVERALL:               NYY-[][][][]1/2                  PHI-[][][][]

 

Overall

 

 

• OFFENSE :           NYY-[][][][][]                   PHI-[][][][][]      
• DEFENSE:            NYY-[][][][]                     PHI-[][][][][]      
• PITCHING:           NYY-[][][][]1/2                 PHI-[][][][]
• INTANGIBLES       NYY-[][][][]                   PHI-[][][][][]
• OVERALL            NYY-[][][][]1/2                 PHI-[][][][][]

 

PICK: PHILLIES IN 7

 

No team plays better for 27 outs then the Philadelphia Phillies, and that will be the difference. Both teams will score runs, so the Sabathia/Lee matchup have that much more importance.

 

In the end, they will face off in game seven at Yankee Stadium, where Lee and the Phillies lineup will find a way to win and repeat as World Series Champions.

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Repeat vs. No. 27: Choosing a Side in “The Worst Scenario World Series”

Yes, that’s CC Sabathia’s tummy.

If it hasn’t been a tough enough couple of years (lifetime, even?) to be a New York Mets fan, things just got a whole lot worse with both the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees advancing to the big show.

Normally when one of our fiercest rivals is in the World Series, we can easily jump on the opposing team’s bandwagon and ride it ‘til the trail ends.

Not this year. We’re guaranteed hell until next October.

Each choice for the common fan has consequences this year. Getting a lobotomy seems extreme, and going into hibernation would just be an unnecessary ego boost for the already proud Yankees and Phillies fans.

Common sense begs baseball fans to root for the Philadelphia Phillies since nobody outside of New York wants to see the Bronx Bombers prancing around with their 27th championship by way of a $200 million payroll.

But nobody wants to see a team, other than their own, repeat. Phillies fans will think they’re God’s gift to baseball.

Then there is the New York pride factor – as a good New Yorker, I should root for the Yankees. Again, on the other side, as an extreme advocate of the National League style of play, I should want the title in the NL East.

But wait…the Phillies aren’t exactly a prototypical National League team, with all those home runs they hit and runs they score.

However, the Phillies at least do things the right way. Many of Philadelphia’s stars are home grown, whereas many of the Yankees’ stars are, well…bought.

But that’s a tired argument I’ve been using for years against Yankees fans. Plus, why would I want a rival to win by playing the right way? Then I can’t accuse them of buying the championship and I’m left with no defense.

Do you see my quandary?

It makes most sense to make a list of pros and cons to decide which team to root for, but since there really is nothing good about rooting for either side, I will present a list of cons and cons, by the end, hopefully making a decision as to which evil to root for.

 

Bright side  

We get to watch one team’s hearts be smashed into a million little pieces. It’s always good to find a silver lining in a lose-lose situation.

 

Offense  

It’s Yankees vs. Yankees, Jr.

Each lineup is disgusting. Who do I hate less? Let’s examine.

I hate Jimmy Rollins less than I hate Derek Jeter. I hate Johnny Damon and Shane Victorino the same, but Victorino doesn’t make me want to beat my head against a wall when he speaks. Advantage, Victorino. I hate Mark Teixeira less than Chase Utley. I hate Alex Rodriguez less than Ryan Howard. I hate Jayson Werth less than Jorge Posada. I hate Robinson Cano less than Raul Ibanez. I hate Pedro Feliz less than Nick Swisher. I hate Melky Cabrera less than Carlos Ruiz.

That’s a 4-4 tie. I hate the designated hitter, so it comes down to which pitching staff will be funnier to watch at-bat. It’s not even close. Andy Pettitte, Sabathia…

Go Yankees!

 

Defense

Teixeira saved about 14 runs in the ALCS with his glove, despite not producing at all with his bat.

That’s not what I’m looking at.

I’m focused on the fact that every time Fox presents the defense, they never fail to mention how A-Rod’s gold gloves came at shortstop. To be fair, they should then make it known that Jeter’s gold gloves didn’t start arriving until after A-Rod moved to third base. It’s only fair to rain on his parade, too.

Go Phillies!

 

Pitching

Everybody take a moment to thank Mark Shapiro, because Sabathia and Cliff Lee are the only two stopping this series from seeing 30 runs scored between the two teams each game.

Every time Joe Buck and Tim McCarver mention Sabathia’s weight gives the Yankees an extra 290 points in my book. Get it? That’s how much he weighs. In pounds.

Plus the Yankees’ starting pitchers don’t have a history of talking trash then backing it up by going 10-11 with a 4.32 earned run average and being pushed out of the No. 1 starter role.

Did you catch the subtle dig at Cole Hamels there?

Go Yankees!

 

Bullpen  

Tweedledee vs. Tweedledum

This is where the series will be decided. Both New York and Philadelphia refuse to lie down and die. It doesn’t matter if the offense is facing an eight-run deficit – it can, and likely will, be overcome.

I fully expect things to get ugly once the bullpen seals are cracked. I can count a total of…one reliever who can be trusted between the two teams. And even he’s blown a save to lose a World Series, and it was against a much less potent offense.

Remember that, Yankees fans? I’m referring to when Rivera blew the save in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Do you remember? Luis Gonzalez hit a bloop single into center field to win the World Series against the Yankees. If you don’t remember, I can send you a link to the video. I remember that.

As I said before, the Yankees’ STARTING pitchers don’t talk trash with an undeserved sense of elitism. Relievers on the other hand…Phil Coke will get the beating he deserves, and we hopefully won’t have to see any Joba fist pumps.

The Phillies and their fans have been humbled enough this year for all the Brad Lidge praising they did last year. Let’s see Mariano Rivera blow some more saves!

Go Phillies!

 

Ballpark

Does it even matter? Neither park can contain any of the hitters in either lineup.

Philadelphia fans will probably do a better job of packing the stands since they have more affordable tickets.

Oh, so now they think they’re better because their ownership doesn’t beat up its fan base and take their lunch money?

Go Yankees!

 

Manager

Nobody deserves a ring less than Joe Girardi. He’ll prove it several more times this series.

That is all.

Go Phillies!

 

Fans  

There are only two sets of permanently insufferable baseball fans: those of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Yankees fans will always be the way they are. There is no turning back or changing them.

There’s still a chance to shove Phillies fans back into the hole they came from, but a repeat may turn the ugly duo into an ugly trio of unbearable fans, and Phillies fans may never shut up, ever again.

This aspect trumps all other categories, because let’s be honest – it’s the fans who make their teams so hated (Patriots excluded).

Let’s keep Philadelphia humbled while there’s still a chance.

GO YANKEES! Buy that ring!

Disclaimer: I would rather the Angels have beaten the Yankees and ultimately lose to the Phillies than have had Yankees vs. Phillies. At least this way I wouldn’t have a metaphorical gun to my head. I’d rather the Phillies repeat and the Yankees not be there than have to root for the Yankees against the only team that annoys me more than them. I am in hell.

 

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World Series: Philadelphia Phillies Have Options at DH

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These Philadelphia Phillies Just Know How To Win in Baseball Playoffs

As I watch the New York Yankees fight the Los Angeles Angels and Mother Nature for the chance to win the American League pennant and advance to the World Series, I realize something, albeit elementary.

This Phillies team knows how to win. More succinctly, the find another gear when playing in postseason baseball.

During the past two years, the Phillies have gone 18-5 in postseason play.

Carlos Ruiz, a .255 regular season eight-hole hitter for the Phillies, is batting .385 in the postseason with one home run and 4 RBI.

Jimmy Rollins, who was cold in the opening round against the Rockies, hit .250 during the season. Recent hits have brought his postseason average up to .244. But his two-out, two-run walk off double to win Game Four of the NLCS was stuff made up in legends.

Pitting big Dodgers flame thrower Jonathan Broxton against the smaller Rollins, was a David slaying Goliath moment for Phillies fans.

And to a man, they all believe the job is not done.

They held their first post-pennant workout Friday at Citizens Bank Park. My friend, who is a cameraman for a Philadelphia television station, sent me the picture above, along with several others.

I believe it is Shane Victorino taking swings, Jimmy Rollins closest to the cage and Ryan Howard leaning on the bat.

While the Phillies avoided the rain drops for their workout, Major League baseball will do its best to get these American League games done this weekend.

With the Yankees holding a 3-2 series lead over the Angels, one game could finalize the Phillies’ World Series opponent.

The Yankees, who came back from a 4-0 first inning lead to take a 6-4 lead in the top of the seventh, could not hold on to the victory. The Angels took the lead back in the bottom of the seventh and held on for a 7-6 victory.

The Phillies meanwhile, in their NLCS, split victories in Los Angeles, then won three straight in Philadelphia to close the series out.

This Phillies team, under Charlie Manuel, truly has an attitude of focusing on one game at a time. Ironically, they are a big picture team.

I was very confident that the Phillies would win Game Five and not have to go back to Los Angeles.

While Yankees fans stick out their chest and say they are confident that CC Sabathia will win a Game Seven if it comes to that, the Phillies simply took care of business in five games, not six or seven.

Their offense hammered a good Dodgers bullpen, while the Phillies bullpen sharpened up when they had to.

This Phillies team is like no other in history.

The have a solid lineup top to bottom and a better starting pitching staff than last year’s champions. And they win much more than they lose.

The only question mark is if the bullpen stays hot.

Their 93 regular season wins was the fourth best in Phillies history.

Sound like a winning formula to me.

Go Phillies.

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Don’t the Phillies Know That Philadelphia Is City of Chumps, Not Champs?

They don’t win championships in Philadelphia. If they do, it’s a fluke—something that someone pulled over on God.

Every three decades or so, one of the teams will screw up the ecosystem and snatch a title out from under fate’s nose.

What’s happening now is a travesty. The Phillies are in the World Series for the second year in a row. What’s worse, they actually won it last year.

This is all wrong. Philadelphia is a city full of miscreants and crabapples, with a fan base so jaded and tormented that it makes John McEnroe look like Dale Carnegie.

Philadelphia—City of Chumps, not Champs.

The biggest winner in Philly is Rocky, and he’s not even real.

The football Eagles annually tease and flirt with their fans, batting their eyelashes and giving the “come hither” look, only to turn into Margaret Thatcher once in the bedroom.

The Eagles last won the NFL Championship in 1960. Before that, 1940 something. It took them 20 years after the ’60 title to get to the Super Bowl. Then it took over a dozen years to get there again.

The Flyers won their last Stanley Cup in 1975. They’ve made it to the Finals five times since then, but not since 1997.

The last time the 76ers were world champs of the NBA was in 1983.

It took the Phillies about a hundred years to win their first World Series, in 1980. Took them another 28 years before they’d win their second, which is about the schedule they run on in Philadelphia—an accidental title every generation or so.

This is the City of Brotherly Love—as defined by fourth graders.

The late, great sportswriter Jim Murray professed his love for Philly’s acerbic personality this way: “When a plane lands in Philadelphia, everyone gets on; no one gets off.”

They booed Mike Schmidt in Philadelphia, which is only like Detroit booing Al Kaline, for cripe’s sakes.

Philly is also the home of Temple University, which last had a good football team before they came out with electricity, just about.

The Phillies are messing everything up now.

Needless to say, the Phillies have never won back-to-back World Series—unless you want to strike every Series from 1981 to 2007 from the record books. Then in that case, yeah, they have.

But here they are, two-time National League champions, awaiting either the New York Yankees or the Los Angeles Angels.

This can’t be happening. The Phillies are going against nature, or at the very least, the baseball gods. It’s like that episode of The Brady Bunch in Hawaii when Peter finds the tiki, disturbing something all-powerful.

If the Phillies take leave of their senses and win the World Series again this year, then we’re officially closer to the Apocalypse. One of the Horsemen will have been slain.

Philadelphia can’t possibly handle two championships in a row, anyway. Back-to-back is what they do in New York (Yankees), what they do in Detroit (Pistons, Red Wings), what they do in Chicago (Bulls). Heck, they’ve even done it in San Antonio, which is famous for the Alamo, of all things.

But Philadelphia is as equipped for two straight Phillies World Series titles as a toddler is for his first solid food being a bowl of chili.

They don’t win championships in Philadelphia because the fans there don’t deserve them. It’s further proof that there are deities among us.

Sports fans in Philadelphia are petulant, unreasonable, paranoid, and mean-spirited. Unless you catch them on a good day and they’re just being jealous and unappreciative.

Philadelphia—which gave us the 1964 Phillies, who couldn’t find the handle on a six-game lead with 12 games to play and blew the pennant to St. Louis, which as a baseball city is to Philadelphia what, in fine cuisine, lobster is to beef jerky.

St. Louis wouldn’t dream of booing Stan Musial, either.

Philadelphia is the city that gave us Terrell Owens, and for that alone it deserves locusts descending on it.

The teams in Philadelphia have lost so much, have failed in such grand scale so often, that when their epic, abysmal championship droughts are actually broken with Halley’s Comet-like frequency, as was done by last year’s Phillies, it’s only natural to start looking for pestilence.

But if the Phillies of 2009 are going to put us all in mortal danger by winning their second straight World Series, then it may as well be with the team they have—which is pretty darn exciting, and good.

There’s first baseman Ryan Howard, a slugger of Herculean strength, who doesn’t hit home runs, he makes them with his bare hands. There’s center fielder Shane Victorino, who covers so much real estate in the outfield that you should call him Century 22.

There’s right fielder Jayson Werth, the feast or famine kid who can blow you away with his power or with the wind from his frequent whiffs. But guaranteed that you stick around for his at-bat, regardless.

There’s the pesky double play combo of 2B Chase Utley and SS Jimmy Rollins, two guys who can flash leather and then knock in the game-winning run on any given day.

There’s veteran LF Raul Ibanez, who turned 37 this summer but it’s all in your mind. Ibanez stroked 34 homers.

The top three starting pitchers are Cliff Lee, Pedro Martinez, and Cole Hamels. You can do worse.

The closer is Brad Lidge, who actually “gets” what being an athlete playing in Philadelphia is all about. For Lidge went from being 41-for-41 in save opportunities with a 1.95 ERA in 2008, to being 31-for-42 in 2009, despite an ERA in the thin high air of 7.21 in 2009.

Attaboy, Brad! You knew better than to put together two fabulous seasons in a row. You’re a Phillie, after all.

Batten down the hatches. The Phillies are in the World Series again, and it only took them a year to get back there this time instead of a generation. As Neil Diamond once sang, pack up the babies and grab the old ladies!

Cuz everyone knows it’s the City of Brotherly Love’s Traveling Salvation Show.

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