The Yankees are headed to their 40th World Series, but they will have to beat the defending-champion Phillies in order to capture their 27th crown. The Phillies are battle-tested and have a lineup that can belt it out of the park. Four different hitters had more than 30 home runs and the Phillies made quick work of their first two playoff opponents, losing only two games along the way.
Philadelphia also has Cliff Lee, a pitcher they obtained from Cleveland in July, who has won all three of his starts this postseason while posting a 0.74 ERA. Lee will get the ball in Game 1 against CC Sabathia. But behind Lee, there are questions. Pedro Martinez gets the ball in Game 2 and Cole Hamels, dominant last year, but hittable this one, gets the ball in Game 3.
Then there’s the bullpen. Brad Lidge has been perfect so far in the postseason, but he was miserable in the regular season. Ryan Madson faltered in his setup role in the playoffs while Chad Durbin stepped up and pitched well, but there are questions throughout the pen.
And that’s where the Yankees hold a clear advantage. They have better pitching, especially in the bullpen than the Phillies and they also have the advantage of four games at home, where they are dominant. Jimmy Rollins may pick the Phillies in five, but the choice here is Yankees in six.
