Slick Series Starting Showdown

The Phillies can hammer the ball. Yes, well the Yankees pack a pretty definable punch too. The Phillies have Ryan Howard. Okay, the Yankees have Alex Rodriguez. Cliff Lee is an ace for Philadelphia. So, the Yankees will throw C.C. Sabathia as their stopper. Philadelphia is the defending champion. This, pales in comparison to New York’s 26 titles. The Phillies don’t know how to lose. The Yankees practically made their name by not losing ballgames. Charlie Manuel is a better manager. Sure, but the Bombers have Mariano Rivera. Whatever the reason may be why each team will win the World Series, the baseball universe will begin to find out tonight. Both clubs deserve to be commended for spectacular seasons on the diamond. The series is being dubbed as one for the ages, a true Fall Classic. The proximity of the fan bases only adds to the drama and excitement. Without further ado, let’s play ball!
The series starts in Yankee Stadium, the Bronx bandbox and home of the longest balls in the American League this year. Citizens Bank Park will host games three through five. Both parks are homer-happy and both lineups can certainly sock the ball the distance. The stacked lineups will guarantee run production. It should be one explosive series, even with the quality of pitching and defense on both sides. Tonight pits two CY Young winners against two very devastating and damaging lineups. The Yankees are calling up Eric Hinske and Brian Bruney for the World Series roster. Tonight’s scheduled aces may not be able to prevent a few dingers from leaving the yard. The challenge for the hurlers will be limiting the homeruns to solo shots. Both teams boast veteran lineups, with players who have already won World Series rings. The playoff tested clubs each played nine games to reach the big dance. Tonight they start their quest for baseball dominance. Raincoats and slickers on hand, game one should be a downpour of exhilaration.
The Phillies took two of three games against New York during the regular season. The series was played in the Bronx and included the longest homerun in Yankee Stadium, a 477 foot moon shot by Raul Ibanez. The defending champs are strikingly strong against right-handed pitchers. The Bombers’ southpaw pitchers should be able to frustrate the Phillies. The team slugged a franchise record 224 homeruns in 2009. The first four hitters are all capable of winning ballgames with one swing. When Philadelphia gets runners on base, the team is deadly at the plate. The Phillies are more than capable of rallying and enduring long innings. It’s vital for the Yankee starters to get ahead in the count and induce outs. New York is a very patient at the plate and also has pop. The Yankees have the edge against lefties and tend to wear down pitchers by being selective. New York sends men to the dish who do not chase pitches out of the strike zone. Manuel’s staff must choose their pitches wisely and throw with caution to the big Bomber bats. Rodriguez commands attention with his incredible plate coverage. Pedro Martinez and Lee are both number one starters, but the Yankees have had success against the former Red Sox/Met and Indian in the past. Because New York has experience against both flamethrowers, they will be aided by past encounters. A.J. Burnett is a top-flight pitcher in his own right. Burnett has credible numbers in big games, but any Yankee fan will admit they hesitate to trust the righty slated for game two. Philadelphia relishes the role of underdogs. Their outfield defense is fleet of foot and can run down balls with precision. The key to game two for New York is not allowing the Phillies to get to Burnett, and posting runs to give the hurler a chance to win. Incorporating base hits and getting the offense involved early is the element New York will focus on accomplishing. Home field advantage becomes exactly that, an advantage, for New York in game two. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. It’s more enjoyable to soak in the first game. The Yankees haven’t reached the Fall Classic since 2003. They lost that series to the Florida Marlins. The Bombers went out and spent $400 plus million to better the club in 2009. The spending spree landed a trio of tantalizing talent in Mark Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett. This roster belongs in the World Series. As a Yankee fan, I couldn’t be more delighted to see the Yankees back with a chance to win it all. This time, number 27 will become a reality.

Parting Points: Video download of the day-“Like A Prayer” by Madonna
I wasn’t too thrilled the Rockets lost their season opening game to Portland last night. I’m hoping this is really the year Houston takes command of the west.