World Series 08 Predictions: Philadelphia Phillies Vs Tampa Bay Rays

So here we are, standing again upon the precipice which is the day before Game 1 of the World Series. This year, the 2008 World Series is between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Both teams were not picked to make the World Series back in spring training. Actually, back in February if one said the Rays wold be contending in the fall classic 90% of baseball fans would give a chuckle and go, "Yeah right, and the sky is green and the grass is blue right?"

Virtually the same applies for the Phillies. Sure, everyone in baseball knew they were a talented team that was coming off a season in which they made the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. But as with any Philadelphia team, they choked in the first round of those 07 playoffs- so the feeling in Philly was really up in air concerning how far this team could go in 08.

All these long months, 162 regular season games, and 2 exciting rounds of playoffs later we arrive here, staring at what we considered impossible back in February.

The Tampa Bay Rays not only won 97 regular season games but also succeeded in defeating the 05 World Champion Chicago White Sox as well as the 04 and defending World Champion Boston Red Sox in thrilling 7-game fashion.

Since Tampa Bay has only gotten their first taste of playoff experience this fall, they have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The Phillies, in contrast, have been progressively climbing the ladder in Major League Baseball over the past few seasons. Departing the 07 playoffs after playing merely one round of baseball left a bitter taste in their mouth. This year they've shown their stuff and made the fall classic. Can they continue to move forward in their quest for the city of Philadelphia's first World Title in over 25 years? Or will they live up to Philadelphia's bill of professional chokers?

Both teams are virtually identical with young budding stars, dynamic offenses, and solid pitching.

The Phillies have Ryan Howard, the NL Rookie of the Year in 05- a season in which he only played half the year, filling in for Jim Thome after he got hurt in the beginning of July. He would later become the NL MVP after his first full season in the majors in 06. He is arguably one of the best cleanup hitters in baseball when, "he's going right," as Phillies manager Charlie Manuel would adequately put it. He is also a contender for the 08 NL MVP.

They have Jimmy Rollins, the 2007 NL MVP, one of the best lead-off hitters and one of the most solid defending shortstops in all of baseball.

They also have Chase Utley, arguably the 08 NL MVP and considered one of the best hitting second baseman of all time after only playing his sixth season this year.

These three are the Phillies core players, their A-list players; however the team is littered with B-list players as well.

Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino, Matt Stairs, and Gregg Dobbs are all excellent support players. Dobbs and Stairs are excellent pinch-hitters. Burrell has hit 251 home runs in his 9 seasons as a Phillie including 33 this year and three more in these 08 playoffs. Victorino is the speedy center-fielder who can steal bases, play stellar defense, and get the team the big hit they need when they need it most.

Then you throw in Jayson Werth's stats and Pedro Feliz's defense and you got a pretty solid lineup right there.

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