The World Series is finally set, as the Yankees and Phillies will look to put on quite a show. New York wrapped up its first pennant since 2003 and the 40th in the franchise's illustrious history after eliminating the Angels in six games in the ALCS. The Phillies have had plenty of rest, after clinching their second straight pennant last Wednesday against the Dodgers.
The Yankees began the season with plenty of question marks despite spending a ton of money to attract top free agents. The Bombers picked up three of the top players available in the offseason with the signings of pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, as well as slugger Mark Teixiera.
Sabathia finished the regular season at 19-9, but has been dynamite in the playoffs, winning all three starts, while capturing the ALCS MVP. The Yankees' southpaw delivered a pair of eight-inning gems against the Angels, scattering nine hits and two earned runs. Sabathia has been simply impressive over the last two months, compiling a quality start in 13 of his last 14 outings, with the lone bad start coming the final weekend of the regular season at Tampa Bay.
Burnett has had a roller-coaster in his first season in pinstripes, owning a 13-9 regular season mark. The former Blue Jays ace dominated in the Bronx, as the Yankees were 14-4 in his 18 home starts, including a pair of one-run victories in the postseason. In Burnett's lone start against the Phillies in the regular season, the righty allowed five earned runs in six innings, while yielding three homers in a 7-3 loss.
The Phillies may not receive the same kind of national publicity as the Yankees, but Philadelphia is still the defending World Series Champions. The Phils have caught fire in the postseason, winning seven of nine games after ousting the Rockies and Dodgers.
| 2009 Head to Head Meetings |
| Date |
Results |
Total |
| May 22 |
Philadelphia (+154) 4 at New York 3 |
Under (9) |
| May 23 |
New York (-156) 5 Philadelphia 4 |
Under (11) |
| May 24 |
Philadelphia (+152) 7 at New York 3 |
Under (11) | |
The Phillies are no strangers to the Yankees, taking two of three meetings in the Bronx back in May. Interestingly, all three of those contests finished 'under' the total, as the first two games of that series had a listed total of 11. Past Philadelphia's explosive lineup, the Phillies have been paced this postseason by their ace, Cliff Lee.
After getting acquired from Cleveland at the trading deadline, Lee has been an instant hit in Philadelphia. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is 9-4 with the Phillies, including three masterful postseason starts. The southpaw has given up just two earned runs, while striking out 20 in three playoff victories. In Lee's last three starts against the Yankees (all as a member of the Indians), the lefty is 2-1, including a split of two starts this season. Coincidentally, Wednesday's Game 1 matchup will be the second time Lee and Sabathia have faced off this season, as Lee and the Indians knocked around Sabathia in a 10-2 rout back in mid-April.
Last year's World Series MVP Cole Hamels hasn't been as sharp this postseason, despite the Phillies winning both of his starts in the NLCS. Hamels allowed six homers in three playoff starts, while not registering a quality start in any of his last six outings, dating back to late September. Hamels and Sabathia each received a no-decision back on May 24 in the Bronx, as the Phillies edged the Yankees, 4-3 in ten innings. The Phillies' lefty gave up eight hits and two earned runs in six innings of work, as Brad Lidge allowed a ninth-inning run, costing Hamels the shot at a victory.
Lidge blew two saves in that Yankees series, as his season began to take a turn for the worst following a flawless 2008 campaign. However, the Phillies' closer has regained his form from last season to help Philadelphia advance to the World Series. Lidge has scattered just one hit in five postseason appearances, while racking up three saves and one victory (his first of the season).
This series has plenty of star power on the mound, but both these teams possess unbelievable lineups that can score runs in bunches. The Phillies can match the Yankees hitter-for-hitter, unlike the Twins, Angels, or even the Red Sox. This postseason has been all about Alex Rodriguez, and his breakthrough following several unsuccessful Octobers. A-Rod is batting .438 in nine playoff games, including five home runs.
On the Philadelphia side, the NL Champs are paced by Ryan Howard (.355 BA, 14 RBI), Shane Victorino (.361 BA, 3 HR), and Jayson Werth (5 HR, 10 runs) this postseason. Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jimmy Rollins have combined for only two playoff homers, but to make matters worse, the three sluggers owned a collective .203 average (12/59) in the NLCS.
VI capper Bruce Marshall says past Lee, the Phillies have questions inside their starting rotation, "Charlie Manuel has some other concerns, mainly Hamels and Joe Blanton, neither of whom appearing to be at their best right now. Hamels has really been shaky over the last month, and you can envision the Yanks really loading up on him; A-Rod could do some serious damage in his current groove."
The Yankees have hit lefties well this postseason, as A-Rod, Melky Cabrera, Derek Jeter, and Robinson Cano are a combined 18/49 against southpaws, good enough for a .367 clip. Marshall believes that a midseason pickup not named Cliff Lee could be a difference-maker. "Charlie's X-factor in the mix will be Pedro Martinez; I think they've have to get at least one quality start from him. Manuel probably doesn't want to throw all lefty starters at the Yankees, so there has to be room made for Pedro, but I would really hesitate to use Blanton. If Manuel goes with a four-man rotation, he might even consider starting J.A. Happ and moving Blanton to the pen, but that means another lefty starter," says Marshall.
The Bombers are currently a $1.95 favorite at Sportsbook.com to win this series (Bet $1.95 to win $1.00), while the Phillies are listed as a $1.65 play to claim their second straight title (Bet $1.00 to win $1.65). Sabathia and the Yankees are a $1.60 home 'chalk' to win the series opener, while the total is set at 8 (Bet $1.15 to win $1.00 on the 'under').
You can reach Kevin Rogers via e-mail at rogers@vegasinsider.com
