I’m back…… GO PHILS!!!

So I stumbled across this failed experience a few weeks ago. Maybe failed experiment is the wrong way to describe it. Me and B Mils just kinda, you know, didn’t really try to do much with it. Not that we are lazy or anything. We just don’t care.

Anyways, I’m back bitches. Whether or not I’ll stick with this is a whole discussion for another day. Whether anyone will actually read it…. much more doubtful. As I sit here on Tuesday evening, November 3, 2009, my credit card bill is due tomorrow, but more importantly, tomorrow is also game 6 between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies [editor's note: I wrote this 11-3-09, but posted it 11-4-09. Deal with it]. The Phils have dug themselves into quite a hole, down 3-2 as the series shifts back to the Bronx.

I love the Phillies. My dad, both of my grandparents, most of my uncles were Phillies fans, so I didn’t have much of a choice. Ask my brother about the 1993 World Series when he decided to become a Blue Jays fan. My father put an end to that immediately. My dad took me to games at the Vet all the time, and even though they were consistently terrible, I couldn’t help but follow the team.

I know nobody cares, but it’s important to understand that minus one playoff appearance in 1993, I had 24 years of third place finishes, starting pitching rotations that included Ben Rivera and Tyler Greene. A team that constantly traded away all starts like Curt Schilling, Scott Rolen, and Bobby Abreu, and got nothing in return (anyone remember Nelson Figueroa? Me neither). Here we are, three playoff appearances in a row, two National League pennants in a row. Most of the core of the team is in their prime, and are signed for the next two years. The Phillies are enjoying a small run of prosperity that has a chance to continue for a few more years, and I think it’s important for all Philly fans to realize how special this really is.

Let’s get back to this year’s World Series. We are up against the most successful franchise in all of sports. 40 time AL champions, 26 time World Champions. Very rarely in sports do teams get an opportunity to dethrone the defending champions, which is exactly what the Yankees are in a great position to accomplish.

Here’s how I feel about the Winter Fall Classic [editor's note: got Flyers on the mind, apologies], five games in…..

Starting Pitchers – Advantage – Yankees. This one is very, very close. Cliff Lee has been absolutely dominant, winning both games he started. Pedro Martinez had a great game, as did Joe Blanton, Both kept the team in the game, and if the offense put up some runs, could have won their games. C.C. Sabathia pitched like the ace he is, Burnett showed that when he has his command, he has the most dominating curve ball in the league. In game 5, you saw how he can struggle without his control.  Pettite showed why he is the all time leader in postseason wins, enough said on that. And Cole Hamels…….. boo.

Bullpen - Advantage – Yankees. Mariano Rivera > Brad Lidge. No one else matters. Moving along

First Base - Advantage – Yankees. Ryan Howard tied the World Series record for strikeouts with 12. Texiera hasn’t done much, but has come through with a clutch hit when the team needed it. His gold glove at first has to be considered as well.

Second Base - Advantage – Phillies. Chase Utley is tied with Reggie Jackson for most home runs in a single World Series. Reggie freakin’ Jackson. First left handed hitter to hit two home runs off a left hander in a game since Babe Ruth.  Babe freakin’ Ruth. While a lot of the lineup has struggled, Utley has been pretty consistent. Cano is a stud, but come on, Ruth and Jackson. Utley gets the edge here.

Short Stop - Advantage – Yankees. Derek Jeter is Derek Jeter. A-Roid wishes he could hold Jeter’s jock strap. Jeter continues to show why he is one of the greatest players of all time, and a born leader. Even in game one, when the entire team had 6 hits, 3 belonged to Jeter. Rollins has a ton of talent, but has a poor approach at the plate that keeps him from being elite. His fielding is still top notch, but he should refrain from running his mouth and focus on getting on base. The Yankees are not the Mets, and I think Jimmy is starting to realize that.

Third Base – Advantage – Yankees. Full disclaimer: I hate A-Roid. A lot. He is everything that is wrong with baseball. He opts out of his $25 million a year contract, and nobody wants him. So he goes begging to the Yankees, who give him a raise (I would have instantly been a Yankee fan if they offered him 20 a year, take it or leave it). Anyway, He has done more than Feliz, so he gets the edge. I wanted to take a few points off for his crying about getting hit, but I’m trying to be objective here. Feliz had a nice clutch home run the other night and always offers a solid glove. Still, as much as I dislike A-Roid, he gets the nod.

Outflield – Advantage – Phillies. Werth wins this on his own. Victorino has been average at best, Ibanez had a solid home run but has done nothing at the plate. Damon had one of the best heads up plays I’ve ever seen when he went first to third on Mr. ‘I Don’t Know How to Hold a Runner’. He is always a tough out and battles at the plate. Cabrera/Swisher/Gardener have been solid, pretty much on par with Victorino and Ibanez. As I said, Werth gives the Phils the edge.

Catcher – Advantage – Push. As a Phillies fan I’m tempted to give this to Ruiz. Posada is a better hitter, but is not as solid defensively. Both call a great game, and are great on the field leaders. I don’t really factor in Molina, because if it wasn’t for Burnett he wouldn’t see the field. Arguments can be made for either one to have the advantage, but it’s just too close for me to call. Remember, this is me trying to be objective.

Tallying the positions, the Yanks have the advantage at 5 positions (starting pitching, bullpen, first base, short stop, third base) while the Phils took only two (second base, outfield) and one push (catcher). It is obvious why the Yankees have taken a 3-2 lead, as they are getting more production out of their players, and are taking advantage when the Phillies make a mistake. Which is happening WAY too frequently.

So far the series has been entertaining. It’s included some fantastic pitching, clutch hits, solid defensive plays, even Ryan Howard stealing second. Every game could have gone either way, and big leads have quickly been brought back to manageable deficits. If the Phillies can pull of game 6, this will definitely go down as one of the best World Series of all time. Come to think about it, how crazy is it that the season rests on Pedro Martinez. Think about that for a second….. Pedro Martinez. Is a Phillie. And is starting game 6. In Yankee Stadium. With the season on the line. Crazy.

Anyways, I love the Phils and I really hope they can pull this off. Win this one and anything could happen in game 7. They have to approach it one game at a time to even have a shot. No matter what happens, I love this team. Check back when the series is over and I will do a recap. Until then, keep it real bitches! And of course, GO PHILS!!!!!