Here's why:
The Phillies once again proved me wrong in the NLCS, dispatching of the Dodgers in five games. They have been sitting around for a week just like last year, so we'll see if it'll be rust or rest for them tonight. The Yankees beat the Angels in six like I predicted with their great lineup and starting pitching. Both teams have great rotation, with a couple of ex-Indian Cy Young winners throwing in Game 1 tonight (Cliff Lee vs. CC Sabathia). The back end of the rotation slightly favors the Yankees with Andy Pettitte and AJ Burnett over Cole Hamels and Pedro Martinez. Both bullpens are good, but Mariano Rivera is the best closer in the game, and although Brad Lidge has been solid in the playoffs, he struggled during the regular season. Both lineups have the ability to put big innings together, with Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez as the catalysts. Overall, I would say offenses are even. The key in the series the pitching. If the Phillies can pitch well early in games and jump out to early leads, they can repeat. But in the end, I think the stronger pitching and a $200 million payroll buys the Yankees their 27th championship. Yankees in 7.
Yankees in 6. bob.
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