Phillies-Yankees: 2009 World Series Preview

This is a preview of the 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees. Game One starts the series off on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

The article will break down every position including the bullpen, bench, and x-factors. The article will conclude with a prediction on the series.

Starting Pitching

A pair of former Cleveland Indians teammates, C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, will be the Game One starters.

They both figure to pitch solid games. This will be the biggest pitchers' duel of the series.

Most would say this matchup is a split, but when you look deeper into the lineup the edge goes to the Yankees.

Behind Cliff Lee, the only other Phillies pitcher to pitch deep into the game with good stats was Pedro Martinez in game two of the NLCS. And honestly, I don't think you can expect such a dominant outing from Pedro again.

Other then Cliff Lee, the other Phillies starters are like flipping a coin; you don't know which performance you're going to get.

Edge: Yankees

Catchers: Jorge Posada vs. Carlos Ruiz

In this matchup, you have the seasoned veteran versus the quiet hero of the Phillies.

Jorge Posada has been with the Yankees since their glory days, so doesn't he deserve the edge here just by history? Eh, not so fast.

Have you see Carlos Ruiz's statistics this postseason? He is batting .346 with seven RBI while Jorge Posada is just batting .258 with three RBI.

"Chooch," as Carlos Ruiz is known in Philly, gets the advantage here because so far this postseason he has been coming through in the clutch for the Phillies.

Until he cools down, you can't pick against him now.

Edge: Phillies

First Base: Ryan Howard vs. Mark Teixeira

Yes, Mark Teixeira is good. But is there even a question who gets the edge here?

Ryan Howard has been lighting up opposing pitchers with a .355 batting average and 14 RBI. Mark Teixeira is just batting .205 with five RBI.

There really is no debate here. The edge easily goes to Ryan Howard.

Edge: Phillies

Second Base: Chase Utley vs. Robinson Cano

This is a matchup of probably the weakest part of the Yankees infield versus one of the best parts of the Phillies infield.

Utley is batting .303 while Cano is batting .229.

Chase is an all-star, while Cano is just a good player.

Not much of an argument here, Chase Utley gets the advantage.

Edge: Phillies

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins vs. Derek Jeter

Here we have matchup of two all-stars. In probably the toughest selection of the teams, you have to consider all aspects.

Derek Jeter, the long time New York Yankee who has been a part of several championships, or Jimmy Rollins, who helped the Phillies beat the Dodgers with a huge clutch hit in Game Four of the NLCS.

Jeter has been batting .297 while Jimmy Rollins has been batting .244. Their defense is about the same, so you just have to go off history, which gives the edge to Derek Jeter.

Edge: Yankees

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez vs. Pedro Feliz

Now this is a real close matchup, right?

No. This is obviously not even a debate. A-Rod is hot, and no we don't just mean that the ladies are all over him like usual.

We mean he is dominating baseball right now. He is batting an astonishing .438 with 12 RBI so far this postseason.

Pedro Feliz is batting a wimpy .161 with two RBI which puts him last on the Phillies.

So this is an easy decison here. Edge goes to A-Rod.

Edge: Yankees

Left Field: Raul Ibanez vs. Johnny Damon

This one is tough. If you had asked a year ago, the easy answer was Johnny Damon. But Raul Ibanez had an amazing year, which makes this one close.

I can't make a call here. Raul Ibanez is batting .226 with nine RBI while Johnny Damon is batting .238 with five RBI.

This one is just too close to call so I'm not giving the advantage to either player. I'm calling this one a split.

Edge: Split

Center Field: Shane Victorino vs. Melky Cabrera

These two center fielders have been playing great this postseason, so this presents another tough call.

Victorino is batting .361 with seven RBI while Cabrera is batting .314 with four RBI.

The Flying Hawaiian, as Philly fans call Victorino, is also a very strong threat to steal bases. His stats plus his speed give Victorino the edge here.

Edge: Phillies

Right Field: Nick Swisher vs. Jayson Werth

Not a close call here. Nick Swisher is batting a lowly .125 with one RBI so far in the postseason while Jayson Werth is batting .281 with 10 RBI.

Nick Swisher has been struggling all postseason long in the batter's box, while Jayson Werth when making contact with the ball, is usually bombing it out of the park.

Easy decision here. Edge goes to Jayson Werth.

Edge: Phillies

Managers: Charlie Manuel vs. Joe Girardi

Here we have a matchup of the 2006 NL manager of the year, Joe Girardi with the Marlins, and the reigning World Series Champion manager Charlie Manuel.

You have to go with the present, so the edge goes to Manuel.

Edge: Phillies

Bullpen

We all know the disaster that was the Phillies bullpen during the regular season. But so far this season they have been able to hold the fort together.

Will they be able to keep the fort together when facing the powerful lineup of the New York Yankees? Who knows.

Either way the Yankees bullpen is better, especially when you have the all time postseason saves leader in Mariano Rivera.

Edge: Yankees

Bench

The Phillies can't rely on their pinch hitters to really come through in the clutch, while the New York Yankees designated hitters are used to the roll of batting while not playing in the field.

For that reason the Yankees get the edge here.

Edge: Yankees

Prediction

So the edge selections ended like this 6-5-1 with the Phillies on top. So can we take this as it is and go with the Phillies to repeat as World Champions?

Eh, not so quick. The Yankees are feeling good and rumbling like a machine, but then again so are the Phillies.

The Phillies have been resting for a longer time so will it be rust or rest that takes game one?

Overall in this series we're taking the Phillies in seven. We see Game One going to the Phillies since they saw Sabathia last year in the playoffs and beat him up pretty good.

In Game Two we see the Yankees bouncing back and evening the series at 1-1.

We see the Phillies taking two out of three at home to take 3-2 series lead.

With the Yankees' backs against the wall in Game Six we see them battling for their lives and squeaking out a close nail-biting game.

In the decisive Game Seven, we just can't ignore the the Phillies devastating offensive lineup. So get ready for another parade down Broad Street Philadelphia, because we see you going back to back as champs.