In less than 36 hours from now, the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies will face off in the 106th World Series. This will be the first time the Yanks and Phils have faced off against each other in the Fall Classic since 1950. That year, the Phillies, known as the "Whiz Kids", won the pennant on the final day of the season, their first pennant in 35 years. The Yankees cruised to the AL pennant, and crushed the Phillies in 4 games to win their 2nd World Series in a row, 13th overall. The game has changed just a bit since then (note the subtle sarcasm), and the roles are now reversed. Philadelphia will be looking to repeat as World Series champions, while the Yankees are making their first appearance in the Fall Classic in 6 years. While this certainly looks to be an epic showdown, it will ultimately come down to who wins the battle of the matchups... So, let's break it down...
1st Base- Yankees Mark Teixeira vs. Phils Ryan Howard
While both had stellar regular seasons, Howard has been other-worldly thus far in the postseason, while Teixeira has yet to find his groove. Other than his bases clearing double in Game 6 of the ALCS, Teixeira has been largely silent, batting .205 thus far in the postseason. Howard, on the other hand, is hitting .355 with 2 HR's and 14 RBI's, and is in arguably the best shape of his career.
Advantage: Howard
2nd Base- Yankees Robinson Cano vs. Phillies Chase Utley
Cano had a HUGE rebound year in 2009, reaching the AL top 10 in 5 major offensive categories. Although having a somewhat quiet postseason offensively (.229 thus far), Cano has excelled defensively. Utley, although hitting .303 thus far, has not produced, with just 2 RBI's this postseason.
Advantage: Utley, but just barely
Shortstop- Yankees Derek Jeter vs. Phillies Jimmy Rollins
Jeter went to work this past offseason with the goal of keeping his 35 year old body as conditioned as possible, knowing what has happened to previous stars in their mid 30's whose bodies broke down and skills became diminished. It worked. Jeter enjoyed a phenomenal 2009 regular season campaign, and has kept it up thus far in the posteason, to the tune of a .435 OBP and 3 HR's. Rollins, the '07 NL MVP, rebounded from an uncharacteristically poor start to the '09 season, and hit the game winning two run double against the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS, proving he can strike at any given time.
Advantage: Jeter
Third Base- Yankees Alex Rodgriguez vs. Phillies Pedro Feliz
Do we really have a need to discuss this? Advantage: Rodriguez
Left Field- Yankees Johnny Damon vs. Phillies Raul Ibanez
Damon is playing out the last year of his 4 year, $52 mil contract with the Yankees, and he is trying to go out in style. Although hitting just .238 thus far in the postseason, Damon has 2 HR's and 5 RBI's, and the short right field porches in both Yankee Stadium and Citizens Bank Ballpark will play to his advantage. Ibanez proved this season to the Phillies why he was worth the big money contract they dealt him this past offseason, with a career high 34 HR's. Although having a quiet NLCS, Ibanez has produced 9 RBI's thus far in the postseason.
Advantage: Even
Center Field- Yankees Melky Cabrera vs. Phillies Shane Victorino
This very well could be the matchup that decides the World Series. Cabrera has been uber hot at the plate, hitting .391 in the ALCS. Victorino has been hot throughout the postseason, with a .361 average, 3 HR's and 7 RBI's. Victorino has proven to be able to do it all: defense, speed, power. The combination of Rollins and Victorino at the top of the Phillies lineup will certainly create concern in the minds of Yankee pitchers.
Advantage: Victorino
Right Field- Yankees Nick Swisher vs. Phillies Jayson Werth
Werth has come up HUGE in these playoffs, posting 5 HR's and 10 RBI's, providing proven backup behind Utley and Howard. Yankees fans may be wondering why Swisher is still playing, given his horrid .125 BA with just 1 RBI thus far.
Advantage: Werth
Starting Pitching- Yankees Sabathia, Burnett & Pettitte vs. Phillies Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ
Sabathia has certainly proven he can carry the Yankees on his broad shoulders, winning all 3 of his postseason starts, with a 1.19 ERA. Burnett has struggled, with no decisions and a 4.42 ERA. Pettitte has added to his illustrious postseason numbers, winning his record 16th career postseason game in the ALCS clincher on Sunday night. The Phillies counter with Cliff Lee, who has been practically unhittable thus far, with a 0.74 ERA and opponents only batting .165 against him. Hamels has been rocky, although he proved in 2008 what a big game performer he can be. Martinez may prove to be the lightning rod for this Phillies squad, witness his gem in Game 2 of the NLCS. Blanton and Happ could be factors, although Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has yet to solidify his rotation as of this writing.
Advantage: Yankees
Bullpen- This will be an interesting facet of the game to watch this coming week to ten days, as we see the types of strategies that each manager will deploy. The Yankees' Joe Girardi has shown no shyness when it comes to making changes, and going with gut feelings with regard to particular matchups. And it doesn't hurt to have the most celebrated relief pitcher in postseason history, Mariano Rivera, to turn to as well. Rivera will be called upon to register six outs, if the need arises. The Phillies will bridge the gap to their closer, Brad Lidge, with Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson. Lidge has completely turned himself around after a season in which he blew 11 saves. Thus far in the postseason, in 5 games, he is 1-0 with 3 saves and has yet to allow a run.
Advantage: Yankees, slightly
Manager- Yankees Joe Girardi vs. Phillies Charlie Manuel
Girardi, after a disastrous first season with the Yankees, turned to his people skills in 2009, and it worked. Coping with the ever present A-Rod stories and adding 3 marquee players during the offseason (Sabathia, Burnett, Teixeira), Girardi kept a level head, kept all business in house, and quietly led this team to the brink of its 27th World Championship. Charlie Manuel relies much more on instinct and gut feelings than that of his younger counterpart Girardi. Over the years (Manuel started managing in Single A ball in 1983), Manuel has learned to trust his instincts and develop a keen feel for his players' strengths and weaknesses.
Advantage: Manuel
Prediction: Yankees in 6 games. My gut tells me that the Yankees pitching will rule the day, so to speak. Sabathia and A-Rod are hungry for their first taste of World Series glory, Jeter remains ever vigilant of the overall goal, and Rivera is pitching like the Rivera of the late 90's. Either way, this matchup has the makings of being one of all time great Fall Classic matchups...
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