World Series: Phillies vs. Yankees

No.	Yankees	Pos	Phillies	Pos.
Lineup
1	D. Jeter	SS	J. Rollins	SS
2	J. Damon	CF	S. Victorino	CF
3	M. Teixeira	1B	C. Utley	2B
4	A. Rodriguez	3B	R. Howard	1B
5	J. Posada	C	J. Werth	RF
6	H. Matsui	DH	R. Ibanez	LF
7	N. Swisher	RF	M. Stairs	DH
8	R. Cano	2B	P. Feliz	3B
9	M. Cabrera	CF	C. Ruiz	C
Rotation
1	C. Sabathia	L	C. Lee	L
2	A. Burnett	R	P. Martinez	R
3	A. Pettitte	L	C. Hamels	L
CP	M. Rivera	R	B. Lidge	R
SU	P. Hughes	R	R. Madson	R
SU	Chamberlain	R	S. Eyre	L

At last the World Series, baseball's crown jewel event, is upon us, and the matchup is awfully hard to beat, even if it tilts toward those with an East Coast bias.

The Turnpike Tussle between the Phillies and the Yankees could be one of the best World Series in recent memory, and we could use one. The Fall Classic hasn't gone the distance since 2002, and it hasn't even gone beyond five games since 2003. Philly and New York both have left-handed aces, outstanding defenses and deep and punishing lineups, hinting that this time around the World Series could go long.

Isn't that what we all want -- Phils and Yanks fans excluded? After the jump, get all the latest news and information on the Series in addition to our staff's predictions.

Latest on World Series

Predictions

Josh Alper | Yankees in 7:
The offenses pretty much cancel each other out, but the Yankees have the deeper, better pitching staff from their first starter all the way down to Mariano Rivera.
Knox Bardeen | Yankees in 6:
Since Aug. 1 the Yankees have won seven more games and lost nine fewer than the Phillies. They are hotter at the moment and they have a much more decided home-field advantage.
Jeff Fletcher | Yankees in 7:
The teams match up pretty well, spot for spot, but home-field advantage plus Mariano Rivera is reason enough to give the Yanks the edge.
Tom Fornelli | Yankees in 6:
These are two similar offenses, but I like the Yankees' starting pitching better and the back end of the Yankee 'pen is more reliable. Bullpens will be crucial in this series.
Dan Graziano | Phillies in 5:
They're still the champs, and they play like they know it. CC Sabathia won't scare them, Yankee Stadium won't scare them, and once they take one on the road they'll have a familiar feeling that they have (and the vast majority of these Yankees have not) had before.
Pat Lackey | Yankees in 6:
Everything about the Yankees is just a little deeper than the Phillies. This pick comes with the caveat that I haven't picked the Phillies to win a playoff series once in the past two seasons and that I'm positive that by picking the Yankees, I've just clinched a second World Series for the Phils.
Andrew Johnson | Phillies in 7:
The dramatic October victories and mental toughness add up to a team that is greater than the sum of its parts, not that the parts aren't awfully impressive by themselves. The Phillies' lineup is right there with the Yankees' and, in case anyone forgot, Cliff Lee is having a better month than CC Sabathia.
Jay Mariotti | Yankees in 6:
Alex Rodriguez is rewriting his life's script, East Coast weather will keep CC Sabathia rested, Mariano Rivera is dope when Brad Lidge is dust and they've forgotten how to lose in the House That Ruthlessness Built.
Terence Moore | Yankees in 5:
The Yankees were destined for a 27th world championship even before Derek Jeter declared before the start of the playoffs, "Let's win one for the Steinbrenner!" Or something like that. Not only are the Yankees playing for aging George, but they were baseball's best team during the regular season, and nothing has changed during the postseason. It might take them six games if they get bored.
Frankie Piliere | Phillies in 7:
I'll take the offense that's rolling right now. It'll be a toss up, but the Phillies right-handed hitters will give New York problems. Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz will be huge for them.
Ed Price | Phillies in 6:
Why? No good reason. The Yankees are the better baseball team on paper. But the Phillies haven't seemed to show much regard for paper the last two seasons.
Matt Snyder | Yankees in 7:
It's going to be the best World Series in years, but, in the end, Alex Rodriguez is going to be the conquering hero in Game 7 in New York.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

10-26-2009 @ 7:29PM

AgtDano said...

The Phils seem to be able to get the clutch hit more often than the Yanks. Just look at the bodies left for dead on base by Posada, Swisher, and on and on. If the Yanks can hit, they win in 6. If it's a hitless repeat, the Phils in 6.

10-28-2009 @ 10:59AM

Hugh said...

The Yankees are ready to go get sized for the ring, and the first pitch hasn't been thrown yet. This is why everybody hates them. It's also why they will lose. The Phils will win one in NY, then finish them off in Philly. Phils in 5 games. Take it to the bank!

10-28-2009 @ 4:34PM

new yawk new yawk said...

The game is played on the field not here with all the so called experts making predictions, even Rollins said they will win in 5.. He must have a crystal ball. The bottom line is good pitching will always beat good hitting..The edge to the Yanks..Either way, the 2 BEST teams are here..Ratings will be thru the roof and rightfully so. Unless you live in the Boston area, they will be watching reruns of Cheers...Celtics OUT, Pat's OUT, Red Sux OUT...That's Wicked bad..Interesting how Jeter, Rivera, Posada, Pettit, have more rings then the SUX have in the last 100 yrs..Where's Big Popi when you need him most??? Boston=out with the tide..

10-26-2009 @ 10:25PM

hoochie said...

YANKEES WILL CHOKE AGAIN LIKE THEY DID AGAINST BOSTON!!!!

10-27-2009 @ 11:40AM

mickmantlej said...

like the redsucks choked as they get swept into an early winter......

10-27-2009 @ 5:14PM

colin said...

(hoochie at 10:25 pm 10/26) when did the yankees face the redsox in the world series? i dont ever remember two AL teams facing eachother in teh series

10-27-2009 @ 8:27PM

inmyhouse11 said...

red sox suck will always suck

10-31-2009 @ 12:41AM

steveg54 said...

the yankees didn't choke they just threw boston a bone because they got tired of 86 years of whining by all the sox fans.

11-01-2009 @ 1:03PM

NjHudson53 said...

The yankees don't choke they just play badly once in a while..now let's see,In the last 92 years the Yanks have been in 40 world series,the dead sox have been in 5..In 92 years the Yanks won 26 titles and the deadsox won 2,You want to talk choke,move to boston or shut up!!

10-26-2009 @ 11:01PM

bray747474 said...

Both had a chance to wrap up the LCS -- and a trip to the world series -- in game 5. Phillies won by 6 runs. Yankees blew a late lead and lost. The teams are both great. I only see one that has no fear and a killer instinct. I don't know how they do it up and down their lineup... but the Phillies are just clutch. If their pitching keeps them in the games they parade down broad street again... and again I won't believe it.

The name on the front of the jersey ain't winning this one for NY.

10-27-2009 @ 2:33AM

George Sidoti said...

NY Yankees in 5...Phillies pitching is weak (not much faith in Pedro) and the Yankee bats are hot-hot...

10-27-2009 @ 1:37PM

tito said...

phillies are a powerhouse evoryone up and down lineup hits for power

10-28-2009 @ 1:44PM

ftheyanks said...

yo dumb phillies have better pitching hitting and fielding with out a dought yo yanks are over rated over paid and completely over when Ryan Howard gets done with you. so be scared keep your money in your pocket or bet on phillies.phills in five

10-27-2009 @ 4:35AM

slicric13 said...

The Phils just love being the underdog!
We'll take out the Yanks in 6!

10-27-2009 @ 6:23AM

ca2474 said...

yea...and philly played a dead dodgers team with one hitte rin the linup. yanks whole different animal. i think the philles have a 50 50 chance as well as the yanks....but dont ever think the yanks are colorado or dodgers , they are far better then those 2 lumps. those teams dident even have pitching as good as yanks......yanks in 7.

10-27-2009 @ 6:22PM

tfolk717 said...

You don't make it to the league championship series with just one hitter in your lineup. They just aren't all overpaid like the Yankees.

10-27-2009 @ 9:47PM

davidmaco812 said...

LOL, were not the twins who could of won, WE WILL WIN!!! now you go have some Junior's Cheesecake and I'll keep me Philly Chease Steak! And wait till Ryan Howard Hit's a 5oo foot long on your azzes! LMAO!!!

10-28-2009 @ 6:10PM

Justin Case said...

hey ca2474, stop writing so much ca ca! Your comments could very well be applied to the yankess who played two overated teams in their prior two series. And if the yankees are such a different animal why then are you writing "yankees in 7"?

10-27-2009 @ 6:36AM

my93bella said...

As a devout Yankee hater I must credit them with the advantage. The hitting is almost equal for the 2 teams but I have to believe the pitching edge goes to the Yanks. I cannot rely on Burnett but the rest are awesome. Pedro has thrown some good ball but is the Phils weak link on the mound. I have to say Yanks in 6 or 7.

10-27-2009 @ 6:41AM

mike said...

this is not tampa or kansas city, this is the NEW YORK YANKEES, we just beat a team that would've crushed the SILLYS, we're hitting and pitching well. should be a great series..........Yanks in as long as it takes