Phillies vs. Yankees
By Kevin Rogers
The World Series is finally set, as the Yankees and Phillies will look to put on quite a show. New York wrapped up its first pennant since 2003 and the 40th in the franchise's illustrious history after eliminating the Angels in six games in the ALCS. The Phillies have had plenty of rest, after clinching their second straight pennant last Wednesday against the Dodgers.
The Yankees began the season with plenty of question marks despite spending a ton of money to attract top free agents. The Bombers picked up three of the top players available in the offseason with the signings of pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, as well as slugger Mark Teixiera.
Sabathia finished the regular season at 19-9, but has been dynamite in the playoffs, winning all three starts, while capturing the ALCS MVP. The Yankees' southpaw delivered a pair of eight-inning gems against the Angels, scattering nine hits and two earned runs. Sabathia has been simply impressive over the last two months, compiling a quality start in 13 of his last 14 outings, with the lone bad start coming the final weekend of the regular season at Tampa Bay.
Burnett has had a roller-coaster in his first season in pinstripes, owning a 13-9 regular season mark. The former Blue Jays ace dominated in the Bronx, as the Yankees were 14-4 in his 18 home starts, including a pair of one-run victories in the postseason. In Burnett's lone start against the Phillies in the regular season, the righty allowed five earned runs in six innings, while yielding three homers in a 7-3 loss.
The Phillies may not receive the same kind of national publicity as the Yankees, but Philadelphia is still the defending World Series Champions. The Phils have caught fire in the postseason, winning seven of nine games after ousting the Rockies and Dodgers.
The Phillies are no strangers to the Yankees, taking two of three meetings in the Bronx back in May. Interestingly, all three of those contests finished 'under' the total, as the first two games of that series had a listed total of 11. Past Philadelphia's explosive lineup, the Phillies have been paced this postseason by their ace, Cliff Lee.
After getting acquired from Cleveland at the trading deadline, Lee has been an instant hit in Philadelphia. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is 9-4 with the Phillies, including three masterful postseason starts. The southpaw has given up just two earned runs, while striking out 20 in three playoff victories. In Lee's last three starts against the Yankees (all as a member of the Indians), the lefty is 2-1, including a split of two starts this season. Coincidentally, Wednesday's Game 1 matchup will be the second time Lee and Sabathia have faced off this season, as Lee and the Indians knocked around Sabathia in a 10-2 rout back in mid-April.
Last year's World Series MVP Cole Hamels hasn't been as sharp this postseason, despite the Phillies winning both of his starts in the NLCS. Hamels allowed six homers in three playoff starts, while not registering a quality start in any of his last six outings, dating back to late September. Hamels and Sabathia each received a no-decision back on May 24 in the Bronx, as the Phillies edged the Yankees, 4-3 in ten innings. The Phillies' lefty gave up eight hits and two earned runs in six innings of work, as Brad Lidge allowed a ninth-inning run, costing Hamels the shot at a victory.
Lidge blew two saves in that Yankees series, as his season began to take a turn for the worst following a flawless 2008 campaign. However, the Phillies' closer has regained his form from last season to help Philadelphia advance to the World Series. Lidge has scattered just one hit in five postseason appearances, while racking up three saves and one victory (his first of the season).
This series has plenty of star power on the mound, but both these teams possess unbelievable lineups that can score runs in bunches. The Phillies can match the Yankees hitter-for-hitter, unlike the Twins, Angels, or even the Red Sox. This postseason has been all about Alex Rodriguez, and his breakthrough following several unsuccessful Octobers. A-Rod is batting .438 in nine playoff games, including five home runs.
On the Philadelphia side, the NL Champs are paced by Ryan Howard (.355 BA, 14 RBI), Shane Victorino (.361 BA, 3 HR), and Jayson Werth (5 HR, 10 runs) this postseason. Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jimmy Rollins have combined for only two playoff homers, but to make matters worse, the three sluggers owned a collective .203 average (12/59) in the NLCS.
VI capper Bruce Marshall says past Lee, the Phillies have questions inside their starting rotation, "Charlie Manuel has some other concerns, mainly Hamels and Joe Blanton, neither of whom appearing to be at their best right now. Hamels has really been shaky over the last month, and you can envision the Yanks really loading up on him; A-Rod could do some serious damage in his current groove."
The Yankees have hit lefties well this postseason, as A-Rod, Melky Cabrera, Derek Jeter, and Robinson Cano are a combined 18/49 against southpaws, good enough for a .367 clip. Marshall believes that a midseason pickup not named Cliff Lee could be a difference-maker. "Charlie's X-factor in the mix will be Pedro Martinez; I think they've have to get at least one quality start from him. Manuel probably doesn't want to throw all lefty starters at the Yankees, so there has to be room made for Pedro, but I would really hesitate to use Blanton. If Manuel goes with a four-man rotation, he might even consider starting J.A. Happ and moving Blanton to the pen, but that means another lefty starter," says Marshall.
The Bombers are currently a $1.95 favorite at Sportsbook.com to win this series (Bet $1.95 to win $1.00), while the Phillies are listed as a $1.65 play to claim their second straight title (Bet $1.00 to win $1.65). Sabathia and the Yankees are a $1.60 home 'chalk' to win the series opener, while the total is set at 8 (Bet $1.15 to win $1.00 on the 'under').
vegasinsider.com
Chance of showers for Game 1
October 27, 2009
NEW YORK (AP) - There could be more soggy weather in the Bronx for Game 1 of the World Series.
John Murray, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, says there's a 30 percent chance of showers for Wednesday night's opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. The gametime temperature is expected to be about 47 degrees.
Game 6 of the AL championship series was pushed back a day to Sunday after rain soaked Yankee Stadium on Saturday night. New York beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 to advance.
Murray said Tuesday the forecast for Game 2 Thursday night calls for mostly clear skies and a low of 48.
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday night in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia (7-2) at N.Y. Yankees (7-2)
Back in the World Series for the second straight year, the Phillies send Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.22 ERA) to the Yankee Stadium mound while New York hands the ball to ace CC Sabathia (22-8, 3.17) in a Game 1 pitching matchup of ex-teammates and former Cy Young winners.
Philadelphia punched its second straight ticket to the Fall Classic with last Wednesday’s 10-4 home rout of the Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, the second time in as many years that the Phillies beat Los Angeles in five games to advance to the World Series. Last year, the Phillies won their first world title since 1980 by beating the Rays in five games in the World Series. Meanwhile, New York needed six games to dispose of the Angels in the American League Championship Series, clinching its 40th A.L. pennant and its first since 2003 with Sunday’s 5-2 home win.
Philadelphia, which knocked out the Rockies 3-1 in the best-of-5 National League Divisional Series, is 18-5 in its last 23 playoff contests, including 6-2 on the road (3-1 this year). Additionally, the defending champs are on positive runs of 6-1 overall, 10-3 as an underdog (8-3 as a road pup), 37-14 after an off day, 5-1 on Wednesday and 36-16 against left-handed starters. However, Philly has dropped nine of 12 interleague games, all against the A.L. East.
The Yankees swept the Twins in the ALDS and have won all five of their postseason home games this month. New York, which finished with baseball’s best regular-season record, sports impressive runs of 48-19 overall, 41-10 in the Bronx, 40-12 as a favorite, 43-14 on Wednesday, 37-14 against left-handed starters, 51-20 at home versus southpaws, 5-0 in interleague play (all against the N.L. East) and 58-25 when hosting National League opponents. Additionally, Joe Girardi’s club has won seven straight playoff games as a favorite and eight of 10 at home in the World Series. However, the 26-time world champs came up short in their last two World Series appearances, losing to the Diamondbacks in 2001 and the Marlins in 2003.
Philadelphia went to the Bronx in late May and took two of three in a weekend interleague series. The Phillies won 7-3 and 4-3, with the Yankees rallying for a 5-4 victory in the middle game of the set, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth off Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge. Prior to this year, New York had been 7-3 in interleague play against the Phillies going back to 1999, and the visitor has won six of the last eight meetings.
Lee is 2-0 with a 0.74 ERA in three playoff starts, all Philadelphia wins. He gave up just four runs (two earned) in 24 1/3 innings with three walks against 20 strikeouts. Since joining the Phillies in late July, Lee is 9-4 with a 2.77 ERA in 15 starts, including 4-2 with a 3.68 ERA in eight road efforts. The Phillies are 11-4 behind last year’s A.L. Cy Young winner (6-2 on the road).
Lee faced the Yankees twice this season with Cleveland. He gave up one run on six hits in a 10-2 victory in the Bronx on April 16, but six weeks later he lost 3-1 at home, yielding all three runs on nine hits in six innings. For his career, Lee is 4-4 with a 5.02 ERA in nine starts against New York (3-2 with a 4.94 ERA in five games at both new and old Yankee Stadium).
Like his former Indians teammate, Sabathia was flat-out dominant in the opening rounds of this postseason, going 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA. He gave up one earned run in each game over a total of 22 2/3 innings – including a pair of eight-inning efforts against the Angels in the ALCS – and like Lee, he had a 20-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the playoffs.
Eliminate an awful regular-season finale against Tampa Bay (nine runs, five earned, in 2 2/3 innings of a 13-4 loss) and Sabathia has delivered 13 consecutive quality starts while posting a 1.52 ERA (16 earned runs allowed in 95 innings). Even with the bad outing at Tampa, New York is 14-1 in Sabathia’s last 15 trips the hill, all multiple-run victories. Additionally, with the hefty lefty starting, the Yankees are on runs of 9-0 at home and 10-1 against winning clubs.
Sabathia was on the mound on May 24 when the Yankees lost 4-3 to the Phillies. He didn’t factor in the decision, though, giving up three runs on five hits in seven innings. With the Brewers, Sabathia faced the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS last year, getting rocked for five runs on six hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings, losing 5-2. Prior to that, he faced Philadelphia twice in interleague play with the Indians – once in 2002, once in 2007 -- going 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA, meaning the Phillies are 3-1 all-time when facing Sabathia.
All three Yankees-Phillies games in New York back in May stayed under the total, and the under is 7-1 the past eight meetings overall and 4-0 in the last four in the Bronx.
As a team, Philadelphia carries “over” trends of 18-6-2 overall, 6-1-1 in the playoffs, 13-3 on the road, 4-0 after an off day, 5-1-1 in the opening game of a series and 5-2 as an underdog. However, the under is 9-2-1 in the Phillies’ last 12 interleague road games, 3-1-1 in their last five against the A.L. East and 9-4-1 in their last 14 as an underdog in interleague action.
New York is on a slew of “under” streaks, including 6-2-1 overall, 10-1-1 at home, 15-4-2 after a victory, 16-6 in interleague play, 15-6 versus the N.L. East, 7-3-1 against left-handed starters, 5-0 on Wednesday, 5-1-1 after an off day, 6-0 in World Series home games and 7-1-1 when Sabathia pitches at Yankee Stadium.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES and UNDER
World Series Game 1
Sabathia is 3-0, 1.59 in playoffs this year; he gave up three runs in eight IP vs Philly May 24, in game Phils won 4-3 (10). Lee is 1-1, 3.00 in his two starts vs Bronx this year, going six in each start. He is 2-0, 1.48 in three playoff starts this fall. Phillies are 18-5 in last 23 playoff games,
7-2 this year, but bullpen got decision in five of their last six win- six of their last seven games went over total. Bronx is also 7-2 in '09 playoffs.
WS Preview, Yanks-Phils
By AllStar.com
The World Series kicks off Wednesday with the Philadelphia Phillies looking to become the first National League team to win back-to-back World Series since the Cincinnati Reds accomplished the feat in 1975-76. The odds are against the Phillies were several offshore books have opened the New York Yankees as 2/1 favorites to capture their first World Series since 2000.
But don’t discount the Phillies chances of winning the Fall Classic. Philadelphia averaged more than six runs per game en route to defeating the Rockies and Dodgers in nine playoff games. Additionally, the Phillies are the only team in either league with a team OPS over .800 (.840 to be precise). Philadelphia was just 20 homers shy of the Yankees in the regular season with a pitcher batting in the 9 spot in the lineup. Their lineup includes four regulars hitting 30 homers or more. Philadelphia’s 820 runs easily led the NL. The power that plays so well at Citizens Bank Park should also play well in Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees have the best regular-season record in MLB at 103-59 and have played dominant baseball in the playoffs. The Yankees have All-Stars at every position except center and right field. The Yanks have a CY Young winner leading the staff and the best closer in the game’s history. The Yankees play the game the right way with a lineup that led the league in on-base percentage and homers. They also have a pitching staff that led the league in strikeouts and saves. The Yanks middle- relief crew was shaky in the ALCS victory over the Los Angeles Angels. New York was the best home team in MLB this season (62-24). The Yankees have won five straight playoff games in the Big Apple and passed eight of their last 10 World Series tests at home.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2009 World Series Match Ups.
Catchers: Carlos Ruiz vs. Jorge Posada & Jose Molina (Burnett Starts) Jorge Posada has more experience and power, Molina is an automatic out .Carlos Ruiz turned into Johnny Bench last October and he is better behind the plate, too. Edge: Phillies
First Base: Ryan Howard vs. Mark Teixeira Ryan Howard was the NLCS MVP, Howard has been huge this post season his 14 RBIs lead the postseason. Howard terrorized the Dodgers who walked him six times and still couldn’t stay out of his way. He’s taking the ball away to left-center field and the ball in to right field, usually deep.
Mark Teixeira hit 39 homers, but his defense might be even more valuable to the Yankees. Teixeira has had a rather pedestrian post season. His glove has saved many errors on poor throws from his infielders. Teixeira swung the bat better in the final two games of the ALCS. Advantage Push
Second Base: Chase Utley vs. Robinson Cano Despite his recent troubles with the throw to first base (see Steve Sax, Chuck Knoblauch). Utley is among the most complete players in the game. Utley has hit .303 in the post season but has only two RBIs (and one extra-base hit) in these playoffs. Utley getting hot could change the series in a hurry for the Phillies. He loves the short perch at Citizens Park and the seats in right field at the New Yankee Stadium may be easier to reach.
Robinson Cano had a great regular season he was sixth in the AL in batting, sixth in runs scored, fifth in batting average against right-handers. Cano has had an average post season but he was on base a lot in the ALCS, so he may be seeing the ball better. Advantage Phillies
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins vs. Derek Jeter Jimmy Rollins the former MVP had a down regular season and a down first two series, right up until the moment he broke Joe Torre’s heart. And that’s kind of the point about Rollins. While he hasn’t seen many big nights, he doesn’t scare off the big moments, and that’s why the Dodgers never did get back into the NLCS. He’s also a Gold Glover.
Derek Jeter has played the equivalent of an entire season in October and November in his storied career. His on-base percentage this October is .435, which propels a Yankee offense that was at its finest in Game 6 against the Angels and Joe Saunders. Saunders’ lasted 3 1/3 innings, the Yankees had seven hits and drew five walks. Jeter is where it all starts; he is the biggest big game player in MLB. Advantage Yankees
Third Base: Pedro Feliz vs. Alex Rodriquez Feliz bats seventh and gives the Phillies pretty good production, though he lost his home run stroke in a hitter friendly ball park. Feliz was ninth in the NL in hitting with runners in scoring position during the regular season and has two RBI‘s in the division and league championship series.
A-Rod, may be the second best player in baseball behind Albert Puljos but he has been the best player in the post season in 2009. A-Rod hit .438 with five homers, 12 RBIs and nine walks, feeding on late-inning Theater and earning back the trust of the Yankee fans and teammates. He crushed the Twins, then crushed the Angels and easily could have been MVP over CC Sabathia. Advantage Yankees
Outfield: Philadelphia can start three All-Stars, including right fielder Jayson Werth, on the cusp of stardom. The Phillies' regulars are better defensively and out homered their counterparts, 80-66. Edge: Phillies
Middle and Late Relief: The Yankees' biggest weakness is their left-handed relievers. Joba Chamberlin and Phil Hughes have been a little unreliable in this post season. Chan Ho Park and Chad Durbin have recorded big outs in October for Philly and Ryan Madsen is much more reliable than Joba and Hughes. Edge: Phillies
Closers: Brad Lidge hasn't blown a save in October this or last. But there is only one Mariano Rivera maybe the greatest closer in all of sports. Edge: Yankees.
Game 1 Starter’s: Lefthanders CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee have dominated in three postseason starts, but Sabathia has the advantage of facing a lineup led by left-handed hitters. Do you wonder how Eric Wedge fired manager of the Cleveland Indians is going to feel watching game one with his potent one-two punch of ex-tribe Cy Young award winners are facing off in the first game of the 2009 World Series? .
(Lee and Sabathia) faced each other in the first regular-season game played at new Yankee Stadium. Lee allowed one run over six innings in a 10-2 Indians victory on April 16. Sabathia went 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run before the Yankees bullpen imploded.
C.C. Sabathia is 3-0 in the postseason with a 1.19 ERA and only three walks in 22 2/3 innings. Sabathia is schedules to pitch in games 1, 4 and 7 might start three times for New York if the series goes seven games.
Cliff Lee has been as good as gold in the postseason with a 0.74 ERA. Lee’s first playoff experience has been exceptional, having allowed two earned runs in 24 1/3 innings over three starts. Edge Sabathia (based on 2009 post season performance alone)
Remaining Starters: Phillies (Pedro Martinez, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton) Yankees (Andy Pettitte, A.J. Burnett)
Pedro had a great start in Dodger Stadium but Cole Hamels isn’t right he is relying way too much on his curve ball and he has been very wild. The Yankees are probably the most disciplined line up in baseball and they will let Hamel walk the bases full all night long.
Andy Pettitte is Big Game Andy and Pettitte went out and won his 16th postseason game and his fifth playoff clincher. Burnett looks like the weak link here, but he has great stuff. The entire series could hinge on which A.J. Burnett show up. Advantage: Yankees
Bench: Ben Francisco made a huge catch in left field during the division series and Stairs drew the most important walk of their season in the NLCS, so the Phillies’ bench has already made their October mark. Girardi has Gardner and Freddy Guzman and Matsui in games where there is no DH. Posada will be available to pinch-hit if Molina were to catch Burnett in the NL Park. Advantage Yankees
Managers: Charlie Manuel. He doesn’t always say it just right, but he wins championships and rides in parades. The players accept his authority and play hard for him, no small achievements anymore.
Joe Girardi. After a disastrous first season in New York, Girardi reworked his communication skills, opened his door and found acceptance. He deals with a locker full of egos and all stars. The Yankees are back in the World Series for the first time in six years. Girardi gets some of that credit. Advantage Phillies (Charlie has a ring)
Tips and Trends
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees
Phillies: Philadelphia is out to become the first repeat world champion from the National League since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds. The Phillies enter the World Series having won 16 of their last 20 postseason games, the best span ever by a National League team. Left-hander Cliff Lee has been dominant in his first playoff experience giving up two earned runs in 24 1/3 innings in one start versus the Dodgers and two against the Rockies. He’s 2-0 with a 0.74 ERA in postseason. Lee went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts with the Phillies after being traded from the Indians. He is 4-4 with a 5.02 ERA in nine lifetime starts against the Yankees. Lee has beaten the Yankees in two of his last three starts, though, with a 1.89 ERA during this span. The over is 6-1-1 in Philadelphia’s past eight playoff contests.
The Phillies are 8-2 in their last 10 during Game 1 of a series.
The Over is 18-6-2 in Philadelphia’s past 26 games.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 3
Yankees (-$1.65, O/U 8):CC Sabathia has pitched just as well as Lee during the playoffs going 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA in two outings versus the Angels and one against the Twins. The big left-hander has given up three earned runs in 22 2/3 innings during the postseason with 20 strikeouts and three walks. Sabathia faced the Phillies at Yankee Stadium on May 24. Sabathia allowed three runs on nine hits in eight innings with no walks and four strikeouts in a no-decision. New York has won 10 of Sabathia’s last 11 home starts. The under is 7-1-1 in Sabathia’s past nine outings at Yankee Stadium. Alex Rodriguez enters the series batting .438 in the playoffs with five homers and 12 RBIs. The game could be played under wet conditions with rain predicted and temperatures in the mid-50s. The Yankees have won the last seven times they’ve been favored in the playoffs.
New York is 41-10 in its last 51 home contests.
The Under is 10-1-1 in the Yankees’ last 12 home games.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)