On the fifth anniversary of my favorite World Series ever, it’s time to break down another Fall Classic. Now this one is less fun for me, obviously, because the Yankees are involved. Watching them win another title is, well, nauseating. That said, this a fun match up between the two best teams in baseball, plain and simple. So let’s dissect this puppy.
LINEUPS
This match up is so close, I’m going to break it down position by position.
1st Base-Advantage Phillies. Ryan Howard is a total beast in September and October, and high profile Mark Tiexeira really hasn’t done much hitting so far in the post season. He has played some great defense, but he’s not hitting the way he should. Howard is raking, and probably drooling about the launching pad that is Yankee Stadium.
2nd Base-Advantage Phillies. Robinson Cano continues his trend of being a GREAT regular season hitter and a sub par post season one. He has also treated some ground balls like they were hand grenades, so he isn’t helping you much with the glove either. Chase Utley on the other hand plays pretty solid defense (though with one bad error thus far), and also is swinging a nice stick.
3rd Base-Advantage Yankees. Who would have thought the breakout clutch star of these playoffs would be Alex Rodriguez? Well it is, and if you look at his playoff numbers, they actually mirror Reggie Jackson’s at the same point in their playoff careers. It appears A-Rod has turned the corner, and he is clearly better than Pedro Feliz.
Shortstop-Advantage Yankees. Jimmy Rollins really struggled this year, despite being one of the most talented shortstops in the game. But last I checked, the calendar says October, and that’s when Derek Jeter shines. This year has been no exception. The guy is money, plain and simple.
Catcher-Advantage Yankees. Posada actually hasn’t been great this post season, but he does have a lot more post season experience than Carlos Ruiz. From a strictly hitting standpoint, I’ll give the edge to the Yanks here.
Left Field-Push. The battle of two aging veterans. Raul Ibanez had an absolutely fantastic year, the best of his career in fact, in the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Ballpark. Johnny Damon did manage 30 homers, but not quite the production of Ibanez, and is much more of a liability defensively. But he does have a lot of post season experience, which Ibanez does not.
Center Field-Advantage Phillies. The Flyin’ Hawaiin had a breakout campaign this season for the Phils. Melky Cabrera has been pretty solid but unspectacular. Victorino is a dynamic leadoff hitter, a terror on the bases, and a ball hawk in the field. This one is a slam dunk.
Right Field-Advantage Phillies. Another slam dunk. Nick Swisher deserves a lot of credit for removing the stick from the collective rectum of the Yankee clubhouse, but he hasn’t don’t much with the actual lumber, as he his floundering at the plate this post-season. Jason Werth, on the other hand, has been a flat out beast. This isn’t even close.
DH-Advantage Yankees. This will be Hideki Matsui’s spot, versus probably either Matt Stairs or Eric Bruntlett for Philly. Matsui is an everyday player, while the Phillies will basically be trotting out a back up, whoever they choose.
Add them up, and it’s 4-4-1 in favor of Philly. Lineup Edge: Push.
Starting Rotations
C.C. Sabathia was a huge question mark coming into this post season, but he has really shut up some of his critics (read: me). He has been lights out this October, compiling a 1.19 ERA and an ALCS MVP for his troubles. So far, he’s been worth every penny. The same can not be said about A.J. Burnett, who has an ERA near 5 this October. Andy Pettite has been pretty solid, and frankly, that should surprise nobody. He has done it for ages.
For the Phils, Cliff Lee has been unconscious. He has literally blown through everybody since his acquisition at the trade deadline. Now some of those numbers may be inflated by facing NL competition, but he has still been the best pitcher in baseball for
a couple of months now. Pedro looked great in his post season start (7 shutout innings) and is no stranger to facing the Yankees. Cole Hamels has to be somewhat of a concern, as he hasn’t thrown the ball well thus far. But he is going to get extra rest (Pedro is pitching game 2), so I expect him to rise to the occasion. Rotation Edge: Phillies.
Defense
The most underrated part of Mark Tiexeira’s game is his glove. He is a gold glover over there, and he makes the Yankees infield go. A-Rod has been great at third, and Melky has been very solid in center. Jeter also has improved his range and become an average shortstop (statistically). But the Phillies are so more solid on defense. Ryan Howard is nowhere near what Tex is, but Philly is better at every outfield spot, and every infield spot except first base. Yes, I just said Pedro Feliz has a better glove than A-Rod. And I’m right. Defense Edge: Phillies.
Bullpens
Nobody has mocked Brad Lidge coming into these playoffs more than I have. Clearly I have no idea what I’m talking about, because he has turned his season around in a hurry this October. He’s been very solid closing down games. There are some question marks in the 7th and 8th, but this has been a solid unit.
The Yanks had a solid back end of the bullpen all year, but parts of it have struggled big time of late. Phil Hughes has lost velocity and is not what he was, and Joba Chamberlain seems like a different person than the pitcher he was two years ago. With all of that said, this pen is anchored by Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer of all time. He is the biggest weapon by far as relief pitchers go in this series, so the Pinstripers have to get the nod. Bullpen Edge: Yankees.
Managers
Charlie Manuel has a ring and is playing with house money. Joe Girardi will get no credit if he wins and get killed if he loses. Despite all that, both of them are a bit shaky in my eyes. I don’t think either of them effects the series in a major way however. Manager Edge: Push.
Now it’s time for a pick. I think the Phillies are playing the best baseball in the playoffs, having nothing to do with my hatred for the Yankees. Ok maybe a little to do, but still. The Twins and Angels imploded against New York, and frankly I think they were intimidated. Not going to be an issue with the defending champions. If they Phillies win, they launch themselves into the team of the decade conversation, and throw the state of New York into a frenzy. I think it happens. Phillies in six.
LINEUPS
This match up is so close, I’m going to break it down position by position.
1st Base-Advantage Phillies. Ryan Howard is a total beast in September and October, and high profile Mark Tiexeira really hasn’t done much hitting so far in the post season. He has played some great defense, but he’s not hitting the way he should. Howard is raking, and probably drooling about the launching pad that is Yankee Stadium.
2nd Base-Advantage Phillies. Robinson Cano continues his trend of being a GREAT regular season hitter and a sub par post season one. He has also treated some ground balls like they were hand grenades, so he isn’t helping you much with the glove either. Chase Utley on the other hand plays pretty solid defense (though with one bad error thus far), and also is swinging a nice stick.
3rd Base-Advantage Yankees. Who would have thought the breakout clutch star of these playoffs would be Alex Rodriguez? Well it is, and if you look at his playoff numbers, they actually mirror Reggie Jackson’s at the same point in their playoff careers. It appears A-Rod has turned the corner, and he is clearly better than Pedro Feliz.
Shortstop-Advantage Yankees. Jimmy Rollins really struggled this year, despite being one of the most talented shortstops in the game. But last I checked, the calendar says October, and that’s when Derek Jeter shines. This year has been no exception. The guy is money, plain and simple.
Catcher-Advantage Yankees. Posada actually hasn’t been great this post season, but he does have a lot more post season experience than Carlos Ruiz. From a strictly hitting standpoint, I’ll give the edge to the Yanks here.
Left Field-Push. The battle of two aging veterans. Raul Ibanez had an absolutely fantastic year, the best of his career in fact, in the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Ballpark. Johnny Damon did manage 30 homers, but not quite the production of Ibanez, and is much more of a liability defensively. But he does have a lot of post season experience, which Ibanez does not.
Center Field-Advantage Phillies. The Flyin’ Hawaiin had a breakout campaign this season for the Phils. Melky Cabrera has been pretty solid but unspectacular. Victorino is a dynamic leadoff hitter, a terror on the bases, and a ball hawk in the field. This one is a slam dunk.
Right Field-Advantage Phillies. Another slam dunk. Nick Swisher deserves a lot of credit for removing the stick from the collective rectum of the Yankee clubhouse, but he hasn’t don’t much with the actual lumber, as he his floundering at the plate this post-season. Jason Werth, on the other hand, has been a flat out beast. This isn’t even close.
DH-Advantage Yankees. This will be Hideki Matsui’s spot, versus probably either Matt Stairs or Eric Bruntlett for Philly. Matsui is an everyday player, while the Phillies will basically be trotting out a back up, whoever they choose.
Add them up, and it’s 4-4-1 in favor of Philly. Lineup Edge: Push.
Starting Rotations
C.C. Sabathia was a huge question mark coming into this post season, but he has really shut up some of his critics (read: me). He has been lights out this October, compiling a 1.19 ERA and an ALCS MVP for his troubles. So far, he’s been worth every penny. The same can not be said about A.J. Burnett, who has an ERA near 5 this October. Andy Pettite has been pretty solid, and frankly, that should surprise nobody. He has done it for ages.
For the Phils, Cliff Lee has been unconscious. He has literally blown through everybody since his acquisition at the trade deadline. Now some of those numbers may be inflated by facing NL competition, but he has still been the best pitcher in baseball for
a couple of months now. Pedro looked great in his post season start (7 shutout innings) and is no stranger to facing the Yankees. Cole Hamels has to be somewhat of a concern, as he hasn’t thrown the ball well thus far. But he is going to get extra rest (Pedro is pitching game 2), so I expect him to rise to the occasion. Rotation Edge: Phillies.
Defense
The most underrated part of Mark Tiexeira’s game is his glove. He is a gold glover over there, and he makes the Yankees infield go. A-Rod has been great at third, and Melky has been very solid in center. Jeter also has improved his range and become an average shortstop (statistically). But the Phillies are so more solid on defense. Ryan Howard is nowhere near what Tex is, but Philly is better at every outfield spot, and every infield spot except first base. Yes, I just said Pedro Feliz has a better glove than A-Rod. And I’m right. Defense Edge: Phillies.
Bullpens
Nobody has mocked Brad Lidge coming into these playoffs more than I have. Clearly I have no idea what I’m talking about, because he has turned his season around in a hurry this October. He’s been very solid closing down games. There are some question marks in the 7th and 8th, but this has been a solid unit.
The Yanks had a solid back end of the bullpen all year, but parts of it have struggled big time of late. Phil Hughes has lost velocity and is not what he was, and Joba Chamberlain seems like a different person than the pitcher he was two years ago. With all of that said, this pen is anchored by Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer of all time. He is the biggest weapon by far as relief pitchers go in this series, so the Pinstripers have to get the nod. Bullpen Edge: Yankees.
Managers
Charlie Manuel has a ring and is playing with house money. Joe Girardi will get no credit if he wins and get killed if he loses. Despite all that, both of them are a bit shaky in my eyes. I don’t think either of them effects the series in a major way however. Manager Edge: Push.
Now it’s time for a pick. I think the Phillies are playing the best baseball in the playoffs, having nothing to do with my hatred for the Yankees. Ok maybe a little to do, but still. The Twins and Angels imploded against New York, and frankly I think they were intimidated. Not going to be an issue with the defending champions. If they Phillies win, they launch themselves into the team of the decade conversation, and throw the state of New York into a frenzy. I think it happens. Phillies in six.
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