In a matchup of two explosive offenses, both fleet of foot and with plenty of muscle, given the friendly confines for hitters, the difference could be summed up in the famous quote from that rascally old Orioles manager Earl Weaver who endorsed the “pitching, defense and three-run homer” theory to winning ball with the emphasis on the latter. Back in May in a series at Yankee Stadium, where the Phils took two of three, the first game featured seven home runs! Expect more of the same… at both parks.
Remember this – both teams led their respective leagues in home runs, runs scored and slugging percentage.
Around the horn, in the outfield Philadelphia has the edge. In right field, New York’s Nick Swisher has hit a lot of homers on the road, but also a lot of K’s and has gone cold, especially with runners in scoring position and may be replaced by the quicker Brett Gardner. Jayson Werth with 36 homers and 99 RBIs in the regular season, is the main right-handed power threat in a lineup primarily filled with left-handed hitters.
In centerfield Melky Cabrera is just 25 and improving rapidly, but his Philly counterpart Shane Victorino seems to play his best in the big games going at a .361 clip in the post-season to date.
One of those players aided by the offensively-geared parks is New York left fielder Johnny Damon who hit a career-tying best 24 homers, 17 at home. His counterpart, Raul Ibanez, also matched a career home run season total.
Moving in on the dirt, at third Alex Rodriguez has had a towering playoffs so far, delivering clutch extra base hits with astonishing ease. Rodriguez has seven extra-base hits, 12 RBIs and a 1.516 OPS while Pedro Feliz, though good with the glove, has really curtailed in the four-bagger department for Philadelphia with just 11 during the entire year.
Up the middle the Yanks have Derek Jeter, certainly, along with ARod, an MVP candidate. New York’s all-time hit leader has enjoyed his best seasonal averages in hits, average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS, while committing a career-low eight errors. His mate Robinson Cano has also had a personal best year with the bat, reaching career highs in average, runs, hits, doubles, home runs and OPS. Philadelphia counters with shortstop Jimmy Rollins, the 2007 MVP, and clutch hitter with Chase Utley, widely regarded as the best all-round second baseman in the game delivering 30 homers and 20 steals with an on-base percentage above .400.
Behind the plate, New York starts backup Jose Molina when AJ Burnett starts and switch-hitting Jorge Posada the rest of the time. Despite missing nearly a third of the year, Posada still rapped 22 homers and drove in 81 runs. Not shabby at 38. Normally slotted in the eighth spot, Philly’s Carlos Ruiz is better defensively.
But the real race to watch in terms horse power at one position lies at first base. Sluggers extraordinaire Mark Teixeira and Ryan Howard will be key in igniting their respective team’s power play. The Yankee switch hitter stroked 39 home runs bringing in 122 runs with Howard crushing 45 4-baggers with 141 RBIs! In the playoffs, Howard has continued to crush the ball with seven extra-base his, 14 RBIs and a 1.203 OPS.
For the DH role Philadelphia uses a lefty duo of Matt Stairs and Greg Dobbs as well as Ben Francisco, but the edge goes to New York’s Hideki Matsui, a soon-to-be free agent that rapped 28 homers and had 90 RBIs.
Okay so enough of the power break down because in the post-season it is all about pitching right?
While the Yankees have a better starting rotation, it may come down to closers Brad Lidge, who has used a nasty slider to record three post-season saves for the Phils going up against future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, who has turned in another sub-2.00 ERA to go along with his first 40-plus-save season in four years….. or not if there is an explosion of “three run homers” with teams exchanging blows like a couple of heavyweights. And if it comes down to a slugfest look for the defending champs to get KO’d by the Bronx Bombers.
Prediction: Yankees in six.
powerhouse Ryan Howard
Slugging in the Clutch
Schedule
Yankees (103-59) vs. Phillies (93-69)
All times Eastern. All Games Broadcast on Fox.
Game 1: Wednesday, Oct. 28 at New York: LHP Cliff Lee (7-4, 3.39 / 2-0, 0.74) v. LHP CC Sabathia (19-7, 3.21 / 3-0, 1.19)
Game 2: Thursday, Oct. 29 at New York: RHP Pedro Martinez (5-1, 3.63 / 0-0, 0.00) v. RHP A.J. Burnett (12-9, 4.10 / 0-0, 4.42)
Game 3: Saturday, Oct. 31 at Philadelphia: LHP Andy Pettitte (14-7, 4.11 / 2-0, 2.37) v. LHP Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32 / 1-1, 6.75)
Game 4: Sunday, Nov. 1 at Philadelphia: LHP CC Sabathia (19-7, 3.21 / 3-0, 1.19) v. TBA
Game 5 (If necessary): Monday, Nov. 2 at Philadelphia: RHP A.J. Burnett (12-9, 4.10 / 0-0, 4.42) v. TBA
Game 6 (If necessary): Wednesday, Nov. 4 at New York TBA v. LHP Andy Pettitte (14-7, 4.11 / 2-0, 2.37)
Game 7 (If necessary): Thursday, Nov. 5 at New York: TBA v. LHP CC Sabathia (19-7, 3.21)
Yankees have alot of tools..the best money can buy, but they are still going to have to get past the defending champs who have lots of pride.
ARod is on fire at the right time and Sabathia is steamrolling opponents on the mound.
Yankees in 5.
You kiddin’ me? Yankees sweep to the title!
Everyone is talking about this is New York’s return to glory, but I say Philadelphia defends its title because they have grit AND talent.
Where is there a weakness on the Yankees roster? Theyhave it all pitching- defense speed and the ability as you say, to hit “3run homers”. The phillies are truly a solid squad but they are NOT beating New York.
We have the Yanks right where we want them- even going home.
Pitching has been great so far, but I have a feeling the power bats wil unfurl with tonight’s game.
If we can go up 2-1 tonight then I think New York will lose some of its swagger while we increase our confidence. baseball is more mental thna most people think.