Sweet Baby Rays: A World Series Preview, Tampa Bay Vs. Philadelphia

Its finally here. The World Series they didn't want you to see.

Despite Red Sox Nation's best efforts, the Rays advanced to their first World Series in franchise history with a convincing 3-1 victory at home last night. However, this was really a tale of two series as we all know this series really was over after the fifth game if not for a very unexplainable and unlikely collapse that caused the next two games to be a blur. This was no epic seven game series like those in the past, this wasn't a "classic" and I don't want to fathom the dreaded and cheesy "The Price is Right" headlines (Buster Olney already has one) after rookie pitcher David Price's first career save in getting the last four outs of last night's game.

Seven game series' are happening too often in baseball and I believe that takes away from their historical allure. The best part is, no matter what happens in the World Series, the Rays continue to amaze and Red Sox Nation (RSN) basically won the last two games for nothing as it was all for naught. In my mind, they were simply a spoiled fan base not satisfied with 3 Super Bowl Rings, 1 bought NBA championship (who cares about this secondary niche league) and 2 World Series Rings all since 2001. Rays fans can bask in what RSN fans have simply taken for granted.

With that said here is one World Series perspective:

Pitching: Rays
Game 1 Wed. Oct. 22 Hamels vs. Kazmir Winner Phils. Kazmir may be a bit shaken up after the Rays blew his game 5 performance and coupled with the fact he hasn't looked that good in the postseason save for that game and Hamels has looked masterful, look for the Phils to steal game 1 @ The Trop. (Phils lead 1-0)

Game 2: Thursday Oct. 23 Myers vs. "Big Game James" Shields. No way the Rays go down 0-2 losing both games at home to the Phils. I expect a very well played, close game with the Rays eeking out something like a 4-3 win. Winner Rays (1-1)

Game 3 Saturday Oct. 25 Garza vs. Moyer. As good as Garza has pitched as of late, is about as bad as its been for Moyer (typical Tim McCarver analysis watch Family Guy you'll see what I mean!). I expect the Rays to win a slugfest in the bandbox whiffle ballpark known as "Citizens Bank Park". This should be the easiest pick of the series similar to Francona's flop of starting Tim Wakefield in Game 4 of the previous series. If I'm Philly I go with Blanton here--hint, hint) Winner Rays (2-1)

Game 4 Sunday Oct. 26 Sonnastine vs. Blanton. Sonnastine is a stud and if I were Tampa I'd seriously have considered starting him in either game 1 or 2 as he's money that's how much I think of him. He should win another Josh Beckett-type low scoring pitcher's duel. Winner Rays.
(3-1)

Game 5 Monday Oct. 27 likely Hamels (in a must win game) vs. Kazmir rematch. This is where it gets tricky. Its likely the Rays won't win four in a row even with this homer writing for them :) and I've already described how I believe Hamels is clearly masterful over Kazmir but maybe his teammates pick him up? I see this one going either way but since I don't see this series going longer than six games either way and something keeps telling me to go five, I say the Rays win a toss up. Could be high scoring, or it could be another gem. Winner Rays (4-1)

Bullpen Advantage: Phillies
Madson, Lidge, vs. Price, Wheeler, Howell, Balfour, Bradford

I don't like Bradford's side-arm style as I could see him getting rocked at a crucial time, also Balfour and Wheeler haven't been as solid as of late despite their great regular season stats. Howell could face fatigue issues, and can we count on Price to come up big again- especially if he has to?

Bench: Advantage Phillies in a big way---
Rays-Gabe Gross, Cliff Floyd, Ben Zobrist?
Phillies-Chris Coste, Matt Stairs, Greg Dobbs, Jayson Werth, So Taguchi, Eric Bruntlett

they can run, hit (see Dobbs Greg) we've already seen what veteran Matt Stairs can do, if they utilize these players right the Phils could steal a game with just the depth they have here. I could see Dobbs getting a clutch Craig Counsell-type historic- hit in a huge spot. The guy is a hitting machine.

Key hitters: Advantage Rays
Phillies: Rollins, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Victorino, Ruiz, Feliz
Rays: Crawford, Iwamora, Aybar, Pena, Longoria, Upton, Navarro

While many will claim the Fightin' Phils should have a clear advantage due to their perceived ability to mash the ball, the Rays have shown that same ability during this postseason. Also, while the trend may be to give the Phils an advantage in hitting at home in that small park, I think the Rays will do just as good of a job at neutralizing it and turning it into their advantage, therefore I give the edge to the Rays in what could be a pretty big way. We saw what they did in the bandbox that is Fenway. Could be more of the same 12-1 type games and a key surprising storyline in the series.

Defense: Advantage EVEN
Phillies-Victorino, Utley, Rollins, Howard
Rays-Longoria, Bartlett, Iwamora, Upton

Longoria has the arm strength, Bartlett has looked shaky at best as of late, while his compliment Iwamora has looked flawless. Upton's arm will keep runners tight. The Phils have solid playmakers in Rollins and Utley and a good clutch player in Victorino who can cover ground. Its a draw here. Someone will have to make an uncharacteristic (read critical Bucker-type error for this one to go either way)

Intangibles Advantage Rays (Joe Maddon)
Who would have guessed that David Price with all of his 14 big league innings pitched would come up so big in the biggest game of his life to this point? That alone gives Maddon the edge as I'd never have done it. We really don't know that much out of Manuel other than he too doesn't seem to make any mistakes. Should be a very well managed series. The difference could be the use of the bullpens and we really haven't seen the use of the pinch-runners or notably pinch-hitters come into play since the first round. Whoever wins this battle could win the series.

Rays in 5