Tonight is the beginning of the World Series. I know I said in last night's blog I'm picking the Phillies in seven games, but now to go into detail as to why I'm picking the Phillies, starting with a position by position breakdown.
Catcher: Carlos Ruiz vs Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada is the sexier name, but I'm not necessarily so sure he's the better catcher at this stage of his career. I like the defense that Ruiz brings to the table, and outside of the power their offense is the pretty similar. I think based on the defense, I'm giving the slightest of edges to the Phillies.
First Base: Ryan Howard vs Mark Teixeira
Both first basemen are perennial All-Stars. However, Teixeira is the better player. His defense is annually in the Gold Glove discussion, and he is a better all-around hitter. Advantage Yankees.
Second Base: Chase Utley vs Robinson Cano
Cano had a much improved season over the 2008 season where he struggled mightily and the press and fans were calling for him to be replaced. However, his improvements this year still keep him behind Utley, although I am worried about the Steve Sax impersonation he's been doing lately. Advantage Phillies.
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins vs Derek Jeter
Rollins has an MVP to his credit, whether deserved or not is another discussion. Unfortunately, this year Rollins played hit more like Mark Belanger, whereas Derek Jeter has his usual offensive season. Jeter also had a very improved defensive season as well. Big Advantage Yankees.
Third Base: Pedro Feliz vs Alex Rodriguez
Do I really need to make the comparison? Infinite advantage Yankees
Left Field: Raul Ibanez vs Johnny Damon
Ibanez had a career year this year for the Phillies, while Damon was hot early and cooled off as the season progressed. In a series where power is going to be the name of the game, advantage Phillies.
Center Field: Shane Victorino vs Melky Cabrera
Victorino is the spark plug of the Phillies lineup, and Cabrera is, well, Melky Cabrera, which means inconsistency. On a big stage like this, I like The Flyin' Hawaiian's experience. Advantage Phillies
Right Field: Jayson Werth vs Nick Swisher
If I were basing this on just the regular season, I would call this a dead heat. Both right fielders had great years this year. However, Swisher's poor postseason play has been well chronicled, and Werth has the best outfield arm in the playoffs. Advantage Phillies
Starting Rotation: Phillies (Cliff Lee, Pedro Martinez, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton) vs Yankees (CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Chad Gaudin)
As I sat here trying to compare the rotations, my initial reaction was to give the edge to the Phillies just because of the Yankees need to use Chad Gaudin as their fourth starter. However, the more I sat here and thought about it, I'm not sure the Phillies are making the right decision using Joe Blanton as the fourth starter instead of J.A. Happ. If the Phillies used Happ, this would be an easy decision. However, it's not. Push.
Bullpen: Phillies (Ryan Madson, J.A. Happ, Brett Myers, Scott Eyre, Chan Ho Park, Antonio Bastardo, Brad Lidge) vs Yankees (David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Alfredo Aceves, Phil Hughes, Phil Coke, Damaso Marte, Mariano Rivera)
I'm not sure where to go with this one as well. I think a lot is going to depend on how Myers and Lidge pitch for the Phillies, and how Joba and Hughes pitch for the Yankees. Lidge blew 11 saves in the regular season, but has been flawless in October. Rivera is the best postseason closer ever, and arguably the best ever period. Edge Yankees, albeit timidly.
Bench: Phillies (Eric Bruntlett, Matt Stairs, Paul Bako, Ben Francisco, Greg Dobbs) vs Yankees (Hideki Matsui, Francisco Cervelli, Jose Molina, Jerry Hairston Jr, Brett Gardner, Freddy Guzman)
I don't understand the Yankees' reasoning for carrying three catchers in the World Series. I know Posada is old, but Molina is only good for defense, while Cervelli has seen VERY little time since Posada's return. Other than Matsui and Stairs for their respective clubs, neither bench is very terrifying. Each team has a super sub (Bruntlett, Hairston Jr), but other than that, nothing is really impressive. Push.
Intangibles: Phillies vs Yankees
The Phillies come in as the defending champions, and have 18 players on their roster from last year's championship team. The Yankees, meanwhile, only have 8 players with World Series experience. I don't like how Girardi has poorly mismanaged his bullpen during the postseason, and I think that is going to kill him in this series. Advantage Phillies
Breakdown: Phillies 6, Yankees 4, Push 2
This is why I'm picking the Phillies to win in 7 games.
In related news, a Philadelphia woman was arrested for selling sex to two undercover cops to get World Series tickets. Not a wise idea posting on Craigslist that you're desperate for tickets and will do anything for them.
Larry Johnson used gay slurs in a Twitter post against his coach Todd Haley. The man Herm Edwards once called a crybaby needs to be suspended by the NFL, and released by the Chiefs immediately. His play this season (under 3.0 yards per carry average) is bad enough, his character is much worse.
Andre Agassi is coming clean in an upcoming autobiography about everything he did in his life, which apparently includes using crystal meth during his struggles in 1997. While I don't condone his actions, which apparently didn't help his struggles on the tennis court, I applaud Andre for coming clean. Hopefully this tell-all book can be a motivational tool for people (Martina Hingis for example) to recover and live by. This book will be on my must read list when it comes out.
Tampa Bay is moving to its third starting quarterback already, proclaiming rookie Josh Freeman as their new starter. It's about time. Now if Carolina would only get rid of Jake Delhomme, Oakland with JaMarcus Russell, and Tennessee with Kerry Collins. They suck, and they all need a spark that none of the guys can provide.
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