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The Clash of the Titans

For those of who who are not excited about this year’s Fall Classic between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies, think it over for a minute…and while you’re at it read this snippet from Adam Becker’s article over at Baseball Reflections called, “Get Over It!“. After you read it, I’m betting that you will feel differently. Now, here’s that snippet:

The beauty of this year’s Series is that those of us that don’t have a rooting interest, can sit back, relax, and watch the past two AL CY Young award winners duel in Game 1, Pedro Martinez take another crack at the Yankees in Game 2, the greatest closer of all-time hurling once again in October, and winners of a total of five MVP’s in the past 6 years……not to mention post-season legends Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, and 3-time defending Silver Slugger Chase Utley.

After I read this snippet, my reaction was just…WOW!

BUT, before we dive into my prediction, let’s take a quick look at how these two teams got here from the League Championship Series.

NLCS — The Philadelphia Phillies vs. The Los Angeles Dodgers

The bottom line in this series is that the Dodgers pitching which was so dominant against Cardinals simply couldn’t keep series MVP Ryan Howard and the rest of the Phillies power line up at bay. In the end, the combo of the dominant pitching of Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez and their potent offense  was just more than this Dodger team could handle. This will be the franchise’s 7th trip to the World Series.

ALCS — The New York Yankees vs. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

I honestly don’t know if it was more the dominant play of CC Sabathia and A-Rod or the uncharacteristically hideous Angel defense, which coughed up 8 errors, that sent the Yankees to their 40th World Series appearance. After all, the Yankees committed 3 errors of their own. To be honest, the Yankees didn’t impress me in this series! With the way the Angels were playing this series should have ended quicker. Then again, maybe the Angels were able to take it to 6 games due to the intangibles like their desire to win it for Adenhart. Who knows?

My Prediction for the 2009 Fall Classic

For the first time in as long as I can remember we have as even of a match up as is possible. The Phillies are NOT your typical National League team! Yes they can play small ball and run, but that’s just a part of their game. They are also a power-filled line up much like your above average American League team and much like the Yankees themselves.

This series has the potential to be an instant classic if only given the chance. This match up is THAT good!

Both starting rotations have their question marks after the former Cy Young Award winning Indians take the mound tonight. Will the Yankees still show themselves as Pedro Martinez’s “daddy” as he claimed when he was with the Red Sox? Will A.J. Burnett be caught by Posada or Molina? Which Cole Hamels will we see in game 3 against Andy Pettitte? Likewise, which version of closer Brad Lidge will we see? He will need to be the Lidge we saw in all of 2008 to match Rivera “the great”! And will A-Rod continue his uncharacteristic hot hitting in the post-season?

Will all of the drama, hype and All Stars in this series I for one would be disappointed if it didn’t go 6 or 7 games!

But when the last team is standing, I expect them to be wearing the “red” pinstripes of the Philadelphia Phillies! If for no other reason that I believe that they can dent the armor of Rivera, although not by much, but more importantly I just think they are the better team all around. Plus, winning the Fall Classic last year as opposed nine years ago is an advantage in the Phillies corner

What do you all think? Let your voice be heard!

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