The Yankees and Phillies Finally a Fair World Series Match Up

When the leaves start to turn to red in late October, for sports fans, there is one other occurrence to look forward to. The World Series, otherwise known as the “Fall Classic,” is a best of seven match up between the two best teams in baseball. Representatives from the American and National Leagues square off in this winner take all encounter. Or at least this is what it’s supposed to be.

While major league baseball sets up a rigorous gauntlet for teams to go through just to make it this far, sometimes, the system fails. The system used today was created in 1994, although because of the player's strike, there was no postseason. The new format was implemented the following year.

Teams must first win a five game series then proceed to win a seven game series before making it to the big show. To even get into the playoffs, teams have to either win their respective division or the wild card to grab one of the four spots from their league. You would think that throughout all this, it would be nearly impossible for the best to sneak through the cracks. Most of the time, though, this is exactly what happens.

Now, this can just be the Yankee fan in me coming out here, but if you back track through the last few years, the “best in baseball” hasn't been showcased in the Fall Classic since the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees (ironically, record wise, neither team led their leagues in wins). Over the years the trend seems to be that the team with the most momentum makes it to the World Series rather than the best team (record wise or not).

This year's showdown between the defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees is shaped up to be the best series (on paper) since that now iconic series eight years ago. The two best lineups in their leagues are playing, along with arguably the best aces in their leagues, CC Sabathia, NY and Cliff Lee, PHI. Aside from the fact that I've had to watch the Red Sox not only make it to two World Series' since the Yankees were last in, but win them. The Fall Classic has become, dare I say, boring in the late 2000's.

The last time we saw a game six in the World Series was when the Florida Marlins toppled the Yankees 4-2 in 2003. The last six World Series have been a waste of time. Hypothetically, nobody wants to see a world championship sweep (unless you’re a fan of that team maybe). Even when the Bronx Bombers had the late ‘90's dynasty I didn't enjoy the World Series. Sitting by the television with my father and brother, eating my mother's delicious Italian pasta and watching the Yankees mow down every game was good, but it was not entertaining by any means. Ask any true baseball fan and they'll say they'd rather see a team win in six or seven games as opposed to a sweep in the grand finale. All preliminary rounds considered, this season's match up is hyped and expected to be among the best in history, and I can't wait to watch every last out of it.

THE COMPARISON: A position-by-position breakdown
C- Yankees; Jorge Posada- four rings, earned three of them. May be batting .208 career in WS, but is fielding .995 – Carlos Ruiz, who?
1B- Yankees; Ryan Howard can give you a 500 foot HR, but Mark Teixeria gives you clutchness, defense, and consistency
2B- Phillies; Chase Utley is the best in baseball at his position – no contest
3B- Yankees; Alex Rodriguez is the man of this postseason; whatever Kate Hudson is doing, she better keep it up (no pun intended)
SS- Yankees; D.J. has spent almost half his career in the WS – there's a reason they call him, “Mr. November”
LF- TIE; Johnny Damon is a great hitter and fielder, but has an arm like a foot. Raul Ibanez is good, but he's good down the line.
CF- TIE; Again, take your pick. Melky Cabrera has proven to be clutch. Same with Shane Victorino – you can't throw a fastball by him
RF- Phillies; Jayson Werth is an animal for a career .265 hitter. Nick Swisher loves the game, it just doesn't love him back all the time
ACE- Phillies; Cliff Lee not only has nasty stuff, but he is more than capable of going the distance every time he hits the mound
SP- Yankees; Pettitte is incredible from August on, it's an undisputed fact. Burnett will be the x-factor of this series (see below)
RP- Yankees; Both bullpens are terrible – the Yankees have a little consistency with Phil Hughes. A hollow victory in this spot for sure
CL- Yankees; Mariano Rivera will go down as the greatest closer to ever pick up a ball. Like Jeter, there's a reason for that

THE PREDICTIONS (as if you didn't know this was coming):
Game One (in NY)- If Cliff Lee brings his “A-game” the Yankees will be in big trouble; but the same goes for CC. → PHI leads 1-0
Game Two (in NY)- A.J. Burnett is the quintessential Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde of pitchers; Pedro's back in the Bronx. → NY ties series 1-1
Game Three (in PHI)- Pettitte vs. Hamels at home should be amazing to watch. → NY leads 2-1
Game Four (in PHI)- Joe Blanton vs. I can only imagine CC. Even on short rest; Yankees win again. → NY leads 3-1
Game Five (in PHI)- It's clear Lee will be back on the mound, this time at home. Philly wins, but still trail. → NY leads 3-2
Game Six (in NY)- Burnett will cave mid-way through the game. Phillies steal one back. → PHI ties series 3-3
Game Seven (in NY)- I think Yanks start Pettitte depending on how CC does in game four. Either way, Yanks win by two. → NY wins 4-3

Series MVP – Derek Jeter, NY – somehow he'll deliver a huge hit somewhere along the way just because he is, “Mr. November.”

**All statistics and predictions were made as of October 27, 2009**