Phillies-Yankees World Series Preview

A position-by-position detailed analysis of the World Series matchup between the:

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees

First Base

NYY-Mark Teixeira may be the second-best all-around first baseman in the game. He is a .290 hitter with a lot of pop. Teixeira is a Gold Glove quality fielder with loads of athleticism.

While he had a MVP-caliber season, he has struggled mightily in the playoffs at the plate, although he has made more hen his fair share of run savings plays in the field to help his team reach the World Series.

PHI-Ryan Howard is the best power hitter in baseball over the last four years. He has the most HR’s and RBI in baseball during that span.

Despite his defensive shortcomings, in the last four years he has finish in the top 5 in MVP voting three times, including winning it once and one runner-up. Due to being much fitter this year he has improved his defense to average.

• OFFENSE:           TEIXEIRA-[][][][]            HOWARD-[][][][][]
• DEFENSE:             TEIXEIRA-[][][][][]         HOWARD-[][]1/2
• INTANGIBLES:      TEIXEIRA-[][][]              HOWARD-[][][][]1/2
• OVERALL:            TEIXEIRA-[][][][]           HOWARD-[][][][]1/2

These two first basemen were both MVP candidates this year. But with Howard’s experience from winning last years World Series and the fact that he, along with A-Rod, is the hottest hitter in the postseason, the over all edge goes to the power hitter from Philly.

Second Base

NYY-Robinson Cano is going to be a future all-star for years to come. He hits for a great average and puts the ball over the fence 15-20 time a year.  While he has a nice arm, he has limited range and has his share of errors. That said he has improved his defense year after year and is by no means a defensive liability.

PHI-Chase Utley is the best second-baseman in baseball. If he continues his offensive pace he will go down as the greatest slugging second-baseman of all time. Despite limited athleticism, he has willed himself into an excellent fielder. 

• OFFENSE              CANO-[][][][]                     UTLEY-[][][][]1/2
• DEFENSE:             CANO-[][][]                        UTLEY-[][][][]1/2
• INTANGIBLES:        CANO-[][]1/2                     UTLEY-[][][][][]
• OVERALL:             CANO-[][][]1/2                    UTLEY-[][][][]1/2

As good as Cano is, Utley is the best there is. Along with the fact he is clutch, he is also the clubhouse leader of his team and has come to represent what the Phillies are all about, much like the shortstop on the Yankees.

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