Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Philadelphia Phillies @ Tampa Bay Rays WS preview

by Steve

Alright, I gave you the Rays and Phils before the League Championship Series started so I might as well give you a World Series lock as well.

The Rays are coming into this World Series as the least likely team in perhaps the history of baseball to be playing for a Championship. They were the worst team in the league last year. They had little to no playoff experience before October 1, AND lost games 5 and 6 of the ALCS and some how are in the drivers seat to win the fall classic.

The Rays have better all around pitching, home field advantage, momentum, and a solid 1 through 9 that can mash and show up in the clutch. Upton and Longoria are like the bash brothers with out roids. Garza and Kazmir are like Maddux and Glavine 15 years ago and Carl Crawford is Kenny Lofton circa 96. This team is scary.

Their manager, John er Joe Maddon, is the glue that keeps this young crop of studs together. He is the pulse of this team. He is easily manager of the year, and will undoubtedly shoot to super stardom by the end of the month.

Really the only flaw in their game right now is late innings and small ball. If they mash they won't need small ball especially in Citizens bank ball park. Also if young stud future ace David Price can continue to shut down players late in games, their flaws will be non-existent. I mean seriously. If this team could beat the Red Sox in the ALCS AFTER choking away game 5 and losing in game 6 how could they possibly lose to the Phils?

Utley, Howard and J-Ro three possible MVPs are the only reason. That and future multiple Cy Young winner Cole Hammels. Problem is these three beasts haven't all been clicking at the same time. Howard has struggled to get on and hit above .230, Utley is tired, and J-ro is I guess just slumping.

They will need Hammels to probably pitch three times if this thing goes 7 and I don't think that is possible. Myers has found his game back since a mid season demotion to AAA so he could be a wild card in all of this but Hammels will need to be dominant for this team to flourish. That and get the rock to a stunningly stellar Brad Lidge.

True, you can't count out role players like Werth and on again off again sluggers like Burrell. But the only other player that can have a major impact is the guy I hate the most. The feisty, scrappy, grimy, whiley Flying Hawaiian Shane Victorinio. This dude doesn't just get under my skin, he gets under everyones. He's like a more skilled Pierzynski. If he's runnin' around the bases, making web gems in Center and producing at the dish this series could easily go 7.

Problem is Philly has been on the shelf for longer than the Winter Meetings and have history staring them in the face. Don't get me wrong I'm a National League guy, but there are a few teams I can't root for. Cards, Braves and yes the Phillies. So i'll be rooting for the Rays and I'm predicting the Rays... in 6

1 comment:

  1. phillies in 6... the red sox aren't that great, that's how the rays beat them in the alcs. no manny, no lowell, no middle relief, ortiz is a bum, francona had a bad back... etc

    granted the phillies are up 3-2 in the 9th right now, however my prediction was phillies in 6 prior to this game. the phillies offense is too good to get shut down by the rays.
    -aj

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