We already had an offensive comparison by Joe, a starting pitching and relief pitching comparison by Mike, and a full preview from YB, so I won't take up too much of your time here.
If you're asking me, I'd say the teams are about even offensively, the Yankees have the better starters and relievers, while the Phillies are better than the Yankees defensively everywhere on the field besides first base.
There are three obvious keys to this series, here's what I think they are. Like every postseason series getting consistent starting pitching is always the number one priority. Like the Angels series with Figgins and Abreu, keeping Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino off the bases and Ryan Howard out of the seats will likely make or break this series. And the third, and probably most sketchy key is figuring out that bridge to Mariano. They cannot use Mo for four six-out saves this series and will need either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes to step up.
Offensively the Yankees started to show some positive signs towards the end of the ALCS. Nick Swisher picked up a hit in game six, Mark Teixeira's swing looks like it's coming around, Johnny Damon has picked up some big hits, Robinson Cano is swinging a good bat, Melky Cabrera has started hitting, Alex Rodriguez has been a beast, and Derek Jeter is Derek Jeter.
The Phillies, like that Yankees have a very strong lineup and with guys like Rollins, Chase Utley, Howard, Jayson Werth, and Raul Ibanez can also mash the ball out of the yard at any moment. Yankees pitchers will have their work cut out for them, that's for sure, but then again people were saying the same thing going into the Angels series.
Starting pitching has been great for the Yanks this October, with the exception of that one start in Anaheim by A.J. Burnett. Which A.J. Burnett shows up will be a major factor in this series. As will which version of Cole Hamels shows up. He's been very mediocre this October and the Phils will need him at his best to beat the Yanks.
Well, we've got what we wanted, a chance at number 27. And who better to go up against that the defending World Champion Phillies? This World Series has all the makings of a classic. These are baseball's two best teams, and most baseball fans would agree that that's how you end a season the right way. I just hope it ends with a parade down the Canyon of Heroes.
Probable Starters
Game 1: Tonight @ 7:57 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS | Yankee Stadium
LHP CC Sabathia (3-0, 1.19) vs. LHP Cliff Lee (2-0, 0.74)
Game 2: Tomorrow @ 7:57 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS | Yankee Stadium
RHP A.J. Burnett (0-0, 4.42) vs. RHP Pedro Martinez (0-0, 0.00)
Game 3: Saturday @ 7:57 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS | Citizens Bank
LHP Andy Pettitte (2-0, 2.37) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (1-1, 6.75)
Game 4: Sunday @ 8:20 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS | Citizens Bank
LHP CC Sabathia (3-0, 1.19) vs. LHP Cliff Lee (0-0, 0.74)
*Game 5: Monday @ 7:57 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS | Citizens Bank
TBA vs. TBA
*Game 6: Wednesday @ 7:57 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS | Yankee Stadium
TBA vs. TBA
*Game 7: Thursday @ 7:57 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS | Yankee Stadium
LHP CC Sabathia (1-0, 1.35) vs. LHP Cliff Lee (2-0, 0.74)
(*-- If necessary)
Players to Watch
YANKEES: Alex Rodriguez - I know this will be the third series in a row, but once again Alex Rodriguez is my Yankee to watch. With the postseason he's having I thinks that's pretty understandable. Through the first nine games of the postseason Alex is hitting .438/.548/.969 with 5 HR and 12 RBI. In six career games against the Phils A-Rod is hitting .238/.407/.619 with 2 HR and 4 RBI. One of the homers came off Brad Lidge earlier this season in the Bronx, a game-tying shot to right in the 9th.
Rodriguez vs. Lee: .333/.450/.733 (5-for-15), 2 HR, 6 RBI
Rodriguez vs. Martinez: .291/.350/.382 (16-for-55), 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 19 K's
Rodriguez vs. Hamels: 0-for-4, BB, 4 K's
Rodriguez vs. Blanton: .571/.727/1.571 (4-for-7), 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI
PHILLIES: Ryan Howard - Like A-Rod, Howard has the ability to take over a series with his bat. Howard had another big season, hitting .279/.360/.571 with 45 HR and 141 RBI. So far this postseason he's been even more impressive, hitting .355/.462/.742 with 2 HR and 14 RBI. In five career games against the Yanks, he's hitting just .227/.261/.591 with 2 HR and 7 RBI. This year he hit just .143 in the three games against the Yanks. The Yankees will have to do everything they can from keeping men on base in front of him and keeping him in the yard.
Howard vs. Sabathia: .429/.429/.571 (3-for-7), 2B, RBI, 2 K's
Howard vs. Burnett: .167/.167/.667 (2-for-12), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 6 K's
Howard vs. Pettitte: .111/.111/.111 (1-for-9), K
Injury Report
- Chien-Ming Wang, SP: 15-day DL is done for the year after arthriscopic surgery on his shoulder. He will likely be out for 12 months.
- Xavier Nady, RF: Done for year, season-ending Tommy John surgery. 10-12 months to recover.
PHILLIES:
- John Ennis, RP: 15-Day DL as he recovers from right elbow surgery.