In what has to be a nightmare match-up for Mets fans, the 2009 World series features the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies representing the NL and the other team from NY, the Yankees from the American League. Hatred aside, this has the potential to be a great series and should be very entertaining for fans. Both clubs play in hitters parks and boost power throughout their batting orders. Lets look at each team by position and try to break things down.
Infield: These teams are almost dead even at 3 of the 4 spots, with all star level talent on each club at 1B, 2B and SS– I would rank Mark Teixeira slightly ahead of a red hot Ryan Howard at 1B, Chase Utley does not make mental mistakes like Yankees 2B Robinson Cano. Derek Jeter has been playing great as has Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins but the Yankees captain gets the nod. What puts the Yankees over the top is 3B Alex Rodriquez, who has had more big hits in the past 2 weeks than he did in the previous 5 campaigns combined. Edge: Yankees
Outfield: The Phillies have a an advantage here with 3 good defensive Outfielders, led by underrated RF Jayson Werth. LF Raul Ibanez cooled off slightly in the 2nd half(12 homers after 22 in the first 81) with some injuries contributing. CF Shane Victorino is a great energy player and solid CF. The Yankees don’t exactly trot out stiffs in the Outfield but they are not elite either. RF Nick Swisher is an average at best RF but has a been a tremendous club house influence while adding some power(29 homers). LF Johnny Damon is a premier offensive player and catches what is hit his way but he has a poor arm for a left fielder. Melky Cabrera is not a starting ML calibre defensive center fielder but is Ok in the new Yankee park. Brett Gardner is a step up defensively and a great asset on the base paths. DH Hideki Matsui puts together tremendous at bats and is a clutch hitter. Injuries and age have hurt his defensive game. Edge: Phillies
Catcher: Yankees C Jorge Posada is a borderline Hall of Famer who produces in big spots and competes behind the plate. However, he couldn’t throw out a cement truck on the bases. He has a poor relationship with Yankees #2 starter A.J. Burnett and also has not brought out the best in swing man Joba Chamberlain. Phillies C Carlos Ruiz is an excellent technician behind the plate and can throw. He is a decent bat but is here for his glove and ability to work with his staff. Edge: Yankees
Starting Pitching: I would give a slight advantage to the Phillies, here for one major reason, I like the fact that they throw 2 lefties at the Yankees. Each club has a strong ace(NYY CC Sabathia, Phils Cliff Lee) while having a talented but shaky #2(Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels, Yanks Burnett) after that, we have a mix and match that could see both managers loading up on antacids and aspirin. These are not teams you want to go to the pen early against. Veteran Andy Pettitte ,who has won countless big games for NY, will be their #3 starter. while the Phillies will start Yankees nemesis Pedro Martinez in game 2. Joe Blanton, Brett Myers and J.A. Happ will be out of the pen or possibly start for the Phillies in game 4. The Yankees have Chamberlian, who should not be trusted and veteran Chad Gaudin. Neither option should ease the grey in Yankees skipper Joe Girardi’s hair. Edge: Slight edge to Phillies
Bullpens: This is where things really swing to the Yankees. Future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera is the man and Phillies Brad Lidge has been the mystery(11 blown saves! 7.21 ERA!) after his amazing 2008 campaign(ZERO blown saves). Lidge blew back to back saves in the club’s interleague series and gave up a memorable homer to Rodriquez in one of them. He has looked good in the postseason but store that away. Both teams have strong 8th inning men in Ryan Madson(Phillies) and the Yankees Phil Hughes. However, Hughes has a 5.79 ERA in the postseason. The rest of each pen does not scare most batters but terrifies their fans and own managers!!! Edge: Love Lidge (Great interview and guy)but I cannot say this enough- HUGE advantage Yankees
Series keys- Things to look for:
1- Phillies must win game 1. They need Lee to win this for one simple reason, they CANNOT expect Pedro Martinez to win in that park, vs. that team. He has a poor history vs that franchise and is about a 150 yrs old. He does not match-up well vs. that club and could get hit like Ike hit Tina.
2- Walks=Pens! Starters must maximize pitches and not dick around, Get guys out or get out. Both of these clubs have 6-7 players who can leave the yard, walks are big wins for batters and a nightmare for pitchers. Key for both staffs to get into the 6th inning nightly. It is ok if you give up 4-5 runs but throw and get outs. Think Jack Morris here pitch to win, not get stats!
3- Defense! The Phillies are an excellent defensive club and need to play well in the field here. Both Minnesota and the Angels made several huge fielding mistakes(as well as on the bases), in order to defeat this NY offensive machine, you cannot give them runs and/or outs. Keep an eye on this. Defensively, Teixeira has been a game changer for NY. Count how many great plays he makes a night in this series. Elite glove at 1B, the best since Keith Hernandez.
4- 12! That is the number of Pitchers the Phillies are carrying in this series and this is a good move by skipper Charlie Manuel. He has 3-4 solid bench guys(Led by stud PHs Greg Dobbs and Matt Stairs) and needs arms. Sound strategy here.
5- Pressure! I know this group has held up well so far and even A Rod has stepped up huge but the Yankees have not worn the burden of their legacy well as of late. This team has folded when punched in the face and often with little fight. Let me tell you something as an experienced Mets fan, this Phillies club might lose but they will not beat themselves and are a tremendously tough club mentally. Manager Joe Girardi showed in the ALCS that he is apt to make an odd move when strssed, how will he manage under this huge spotlight?
Pick: Let me make this clear: I hate the Yank$$s, I hate everything about them and what they represent. The success of their entire operation is based on money and greed while representing the worst of the United States. If the commissioner of this sport had any sack, this team would resemble the Houston Astros. That said, as this sport is currently constructed, they have the best team and have since about mid June. Yankees is 7, Rivera MVP.
