2008 World Series Prediction

Ah, leaves are falling, cool air fills my lungs, it’s time to settle in to the Fall Classic. And this year 2 teams without a lot of recent World Series experience (the Phillies have been to the World Series 6 times winning once, in 1980). It’s refreshing to see a new crop of teams and players in the playoffs and making it to the World Series.

Tampa Bay is making it’s first World Series appearance only 10 years into the franchises existence, while the Philadelphia Phillies we one of the first Major League Baseball teams and were founded in 1883. Quite a different story for each team.

Both teams feature young talented lineups and young talented pitching staffs. That will make for a fun series. The Phillies and the Rays can absolutely rake. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino for the Phillies and B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford lead the offensives for each team. These lineups are scary people. Earlier this year I saw the Phillies play the Cubs (Cubs won by the way behind Rich Harden’s gem) and when I looked at their lineup I didn’t see one flaw. Not only that, each guy was a major offensive threat.

On the pitching side, Cole Hamels is the best of the bunch. But I think the Rays have a deeper pitching staff. I’ve fallen in love with David Price. I know he’s a rookie and has only pitched 16.1 innings of Major League ball. I think he’s the real deal and will prove to be a solid contributor to the Rays.

Now it’s time for the predictions. I’ve also asked Jared his opinion on the World Series and have added it below.

Kendall’s prediction: Rays in 7

Jared’s prediction: Rays in 6

It’s the first thing we’ve agreed upon in a very long time.