East Coast Series

(espn.com)

Just when the Mets season couldn't get any worse. This year's participants in the Fall Classic will pit the Mets' crosstown rivals up against their divisional rivals in the National League. Or maybe I should feel sorry for the last place Cleveland Indians, whose two Cy Young winning pitchers are not only on other teams, but are pitching Game 1 of this series. I think of all this just so I can say that us Red Sox fans shouldn't be the angry ones into this World Series. Personally, I am just trying to fathom that a whole World Series would happen after my birthday, and all in the frost and chill of Northeastern locales. It's also hard to imagine that I would be rooting hard for a Philly team two years in a row. Also never thought that I would never be in a situation again where Pedro Martinez would be my last hope, but here we are ladies and gents. Looks like for this week, I am gonna have to love the Phillies as this woman does. It would be good to get on top of this series early, considering that 11 out of the last 12 Game 1 winners have gone on to win the whole thing. With all that said, here is what I am looking at in this installation of the Fall Classic.

Offense:
Looks like the New York Yankees have finally met their match in terms of pure power. On one side, we have a .438 A-Rod who has destroyed the demons of his postseason past and has been as big of a factor in the Yankees return to the Series. Along with Rodriguez In the other corner, we have Ryan Howard, who brings his NLCS MVP and his 14 postseason RBIs to the Bronx along with Jayson Werth (5 homers) and even Carlos Ruiz (7 RBIs) is getting into the act. Personally, my eyes are fixed on two sluggers; Chase Utley and Mark Texeira. While Utley has batted above .300 in October, he hasn't displayed any of the power that boosted him to 31 homers in 2009. Then there is Teixeira, who other than that clutch Game 2 ALDS homer against the Twins, has been doing his best impression of Mario Mendoza. Other than the games in which Lee and Sabathia pitch, expect some 4th of July type firework shows in the Bronx and Philly.

Pitching:
Game 1 has a matchup that showcases two guys in Sabathia and Lee who have combined for a 5-0 record with 5 earned runs allowed in 47 innings pitched this postseason. The Yankees follow that up with a toss-up in Burnett, followed by Andy Pettitte, who has probably been the most underrated postseason performer with a 2-0, 2.37 line while winning the two series clinchers. The Phillies have a wild card of their own in Cole Hamels. He's so much of a wild card, that they will put in Pedro Martinez for Game 2, who came off a 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R performance against the Dodgers in which he should have got a W. Overall, the starting pitching seems fairly even with the certainties and uncertainties, and I like the fact that the Phillies staff is being lead by a guy who has had recent experience in battling AL powerhouses. Where this series may come down to is the bullpen. Granted, Brad Lidge hasn't allowed a run in 4 postseason innings this fall, but the low amount of innings might be a bright indicator of the overall confidence that manager Charlie Manuel has with his closer. Girardi, on the other side of the coin, has all the faith in Mariano Rivera, and he should with a performance of allowing only 1 earned run in 10 2/3 innings. However, guys in both bullpens like Madson, Hughes and Chamberlain haven't been tack-sharp this postseason. Whichever bullpen goes the extra mile in this series is going to have a huge edge in taking the flagged trophy.

Key Players/Factors:
Again, the focus will be on the number 2 starters, Cole Hamels and A.J. Burnett. Last year's Series MVP Cole Hamels has been less than extraordinary this postseason with 11 ER in 14 2/3 innings. If the Phillies expect to be the first NL repeat team since the '75-'76 Big Red Machine, they need Mr. Hamels to get back into '08 form when it truly counts. Burnett meanwhile, is coming off an outing in which he allowed 6 ER in 6 innings against the Angels, and will face arguably a more intimidating lineup in Game 2. Game 2 is a factor in itself as Burnett will go against old Yankee foe Pedro Martinez, who will no doubt bring back some memories. The question is whether he will rehash the success from the past when he was wearing another uni with red letters. Never thought I would say this, but I can't wait for the, "Who's your daddy?" chants. Anything that will make me reminisce about the good ole days of '04.

And the winner is..............
I feel like I have been just torturing myself with a taser gun with these postseason predictions this year......Yankees in 7. I hate to say it, but they just seem to have it this year. They got the pitching, the hitting, the ballpark to hit in and players who come through in the clutch. Most importantly, they have learned to loosen a button or two on their uniforms and play without that weight that plagues those in Wall Street. I might need a psychiatrist when this series is all said and done. Ahh, maybe I should drink a few brews. It's much easier!

Predicted MVP: C.C. Sabathia

(bc.edu)

And for desperation sake.............................................................GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PHILLLLLLIEES!!