World Series: Pitching Shall Determine the Phils' Destiny

ST. PETERSBURG, FL- The Phillies will head into the World Series, ready to play a young, talented Rays lineup. In order to win, the Phils will need to rely on pitching even more so than hitting. Now, without further ado, here is my analysis of the Phillies' pitchers.

Cole Hamels

Cole is someone that everyone is taking for granted to have a great start. I agree, but If Cole can't win Game One, the Phillies are in big trouble. Some have suggested that if Saturday's game were to be rained out, then the Phillies should pitch Cole on three days' rest in Game Four, with the chance to bring him back for Game Seven.

While it's unlikely this scenario will occur, I still believe Cole should not be pitched on short rest. He has stated repeatedly, to much criticism and mocking, that his "body clock" is not ready for three days' rest. Mock the man all you want, but you can't argue with results. As a Comcast Sportsnet postgame live analyst says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Brett Myers

Brett has had the most interesting season so far. He is a guy who found himself in AA this July and now finds himself prepared to pitch the most important game of his life. He is certainly capable of it. He has good stuff. His biggest troubles have come in the first inning, when his emotions are running wild. Once he settles in, he is great. Brett has fixed his head and his mechanical problems. You can count on him for a solid outing in Game Two.

Jamie Moyer

JMo is certainly going to play a key role in the series. Moyer will turn 46 when the series concludes, but his craftiness, not his power, determine his destiny. Another contributor to Moyer's fate will be the plate umpire. Brian Runge was a cause for Moyer's first bad start this season. If Moyer can get a plate ump who gives a few inches off each corner, he will not disappoint.

Here are the Umpires for the Fall Classic, courtesy of Comcast Sportsnet: 25-year veteran Tim Welke will serve as the crew chief for the World Series umpiring crew and will work the plate for Games One and Seven. This will be Welke’s fourth World Series. Welke will be joined by World Series vets Tim Tschida and Jeff Kellogg, as well as rookies, Kerwin Danley, Fieldin Culbreth, and Tom Hallion.

Joe Blanton

Big Joe's job will become crucial if Moyer can't win. The Phils need a win from either Moyer or Blanton. They can't afford to lose both games. Blanton is an average pitcher at best, who has had an above-average postseason. He needs to keep it up. 

I think the series will come to Philadelphia at 1-1 and head back to Tampa at 3-2. The Phillies will win it in six.

Here are the series' odds and props, hot off the Vegas presses

These are courtesy of BoDog Sports

1. Series Favorite

Philadelphia Phillies                   +120

Tampa Bay Rays                       -140                            

2. Will either team sweep the series?

Yes                  +425

No                    -725

3. Exact Series Finish

Philadelphia Phillies 4-0              10/1

Philadelphia Phillies 4-1              7/2

Philadelphia Phillies 4-2              7/2

Philadelphia Phillies 4-3              9/1

Tampa Bay Rays 4-0                  17/2

Tampa Bay Rays 4-1                  9/2

Tampa Bay Rays 4-2                  5/2

Tampa Bay Rays 4-3                  15/2

4. Exact Number of Games in the Series

4 Game Series              +425

5 Game Series              +150

6 Game Series              -105

7 Game Series              +380

5. Game One Winner – Length of Series

Philadelphia Phillies win Game One – Series Ends in Four Games                      17/2

Philadelphia Phillies win Game One – Series Ends in Five Games                      7/2

Philadelphia Phillies win Game One – Series Ends in Six Games                      5/2

Philadelphia Phillies win Game One – Series Ends in Seven Games                      15/1

Tampa Bay Rays win Game One – Series Ends in Four Games                          9/1

Tampa Bay Rays win Game One – Series Ends in Five Games                          4/1

Tampa Bay Rays win Game One – Series Ends in Six Games                          11/4

Tampa Bay Rays win Game One – Series Ends in Seven Games                          17/2

6. Game One Winner – World Series Champion

Philadelphia Phillies win Game One – Philadelphia Phillies Win Series           11/4

Philadelphia Phillies win Game One – Philadelphia Phillies Lose Series          2/1

Tampa Bay Rays win Game One – Tampa Bay Rays Win Series                   9/4

Tampa Bay Rays win Game One – Tampa Bay Rays Lose Series                  3/1

Odds to win the 2008 World Series MVP

Cole Hamels                  11/2

Brad Lidge                     6/1

Evan Longoria                6/1

B.J. Upton                     7/1

Chase Utley                  7/1

James Shields               8/1

Matt Garza                    8/1

Scott Kazmir                 8/1

Brett Myers                   9/1

Jimmy Rollins                9/1

Carl Crawford                 10/1

Carlos Pena                  10/1

Ryan Howard                 10/1

Akinori Iwamura             12/1

David Price                    12/1

Pat Burrell                     12/1

Shane Victorino             13/1

Dionner Navarro             15/1

Jayson Werth                15/1

Andy Sonnanstine          20/1

Jamie Moyer                  20/1

Willy Aybar                   20/1

Carlos Ruiz                   25/1

Cliff Floyd                      25/1

Jason Bartlett                25/1

Pedro Feliz                    25/1

Joe Blanton                   30/1

Field                             12/1

Team Player Performance Props

What will the combined batting average for all Tampa Bay Rays pitchers be in the 2008 World Series?

Over/Under                    .125

What will the combined batting average for all Philadelphia Phillies designated hitters be in the 2008 World Series?

Over/Under                    .270

Which team’s combined ERA for starting pitchers will be lower in the 2008 World Series?

Philadelphia Phillies                  

Tampa Bay Rays                      

Which team’s combined ERA for relief pitchers will be lower in the 2008 World Series?

Philadelphia Phillies                   Even

Tampa Bay Rays                       -130

Which pitching staff will record the most strikeouts in the 2008 World Series?

Philadelphia Phillies                   -140

Tampa Bay Rays                       +110

Which team will hit the most home runs in the 2008 World Series?

Philadelphia Phillies                   -130

Tampa Bay Rays                       Even

In which stadium will the most home runs be hit in the 2008 World Series?

Citizens Bank Park                    -140

Tropicana Field                          +110

Which team will record the most stolen bases in the 2008 World Series?

Philadelphia Phillies                                          

Tampa Bay Rays                      

Which team will record the most errors in the 2008 World Series?

Philadelphia Phillies                   Even

Tampa Bay Rays                       -130

Will the team that scores the most runs win the 2008 World Series?

Yes                  -250

No                    +195

Who will have a higher batting average in the 2008 World Series?

Jimmy Rollins                Even

Akinori Iwamura             -130

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