Tonight in the Bronx, the Philadelphia Phillies will face the New York Yankees in game one of the World Series. While we predicted this match-up in April, we never really detailed any reasons why; but we’re not going to waste the second chance.

Now, by going through a comprehensive comparison of each team, Against the Spread presents the means in which the Philadelphia Phillies will defeat the New York Yankees in six games:

POSITION BY POSITION BREAKDOWNS

Starting Pitching: It’s hard not to like the Yankees here, considering they are throwing out three of the biggest named pitchers in the sport. ALCS MVP C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettite fix to comprise the rotation for the entire series, as Yankees manager Joe Girardi would like to go with those three for the next seven games. The Phillies will counter with Cliff Lee in game one,, but after that will rely on Yankee-whipping boy Pedro Martinez in game two and most likely Cole Hamels in game three. Game four would likely feature either J.A. Happ or Joe Blanton before Lee could return for a fifth game on Monday night. If there series goes seven, expect to see Sabathia three times, a formula which could be too much to handle for Philly.

Catching: The backstop has been an issue for the past three weeks in New York as Jorge Posada voiced displeasure over A.J. Burnett choosing Jose Molina over the vet. Looking at the numbers, Posada has plenty of reason to bee upset; Burnett has allowed 10 walks in just over 18 innings and has an ERA of close to 4.5. Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Carlos Ruiz has stepped out yet again in the postseason, hitting a big home run in game one of the NLCS and playing solid defense as usual. Ruiz (or “Chooch”, or “Sénor Octobre” as many are now calling him) certainly give the Phillies an advantage here.

First Base: Two of the best in the game at first base highlight this match-up in switch-hitting Mark Texiera and the Phillies left-handed slugger Ryan Howard. Howard has been a terror this October, driving in a playoff-leading 14 runs in the first eight games of the postseason and earning NLCS MVP honors in the process. Texiera’s big blow came in game two of the division series against Minnesota, a home run that won the game in extras for the Yankees. But beyond that bomb, he has hit just .205 in the postseason. Looking at the body of work this year, Howard is the clear-cut better of the two, but Texiera is capable of swinging a hot bat at anytime.

Second Base: Robinson Cano and Chase Utley both have not played up to their potential in this postseason. Utley’s two errors nearly cost the Phillies their first two game of their series against Los Angeles, while Cano was sixth in the AL in batting in the regular season but has hit just .229 in the playoffs. Slight advantage goes to the Phillies here, but if Utley hits it will be a great sign for Philly.

Third Base: Massive advantage, Yankees. Alex Rodriguez is the hottest player left right now, hitting .438 with five bombs and 12 RBI’s in the playoffs. A-Rod has shed his postseason reputation as a player who comes up small in big situations and done so in impressive fashion. While there is no doubt that the Bombers have an advantage at the hot corner, don’t sleep on Pedro Feliz; he’s due, having hit just .161 thus far in October. Phillies fans remember that is was Feliz who had the game-winning hit in the clinching game of last year’s World Series.

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins v. Derek Jeter. Combined, these two players have played with each team for 3,544 games; or every game of both of their careers (not including postseason games). Thus far in the playoffs, Rollins is hitting .244 with 3 RBI (two coming on his game four winning hit against the Dodgers), while Jeter is batting .297 with three homers for the Yankees. Both players are the faces of their franchise, both are the leadoff hitter on their respective teams and both must have big series’ to secure a championship. Slight advantage to New York here.

Left Field: Raul Ibanez’s first year in Philadelphia has been a memorable one. He hit .272 with 34 home runs despite being hurt for almost an entire month of the season. In October, Ibanez is hitting just .226, but has nine RBI’s and one big homer, a three-run bomb in game one of the NLCS. For the Yankees, Johnny Damon has gone deep twice this postseason and has produced five RBI from his second spot in the Yankee order. If you look at these two players, they bring different attributes to each game, but we’re going to go with Damon based on past postseason experience and production.

Center Field: No Phillie will be booed louder in this series than Shane Victorino. Batting out of the two-spot in the lineup, he is a catalyst for the entire team and produces runs when on base. Only Jeter, Rodriguez and Jayson Werth have scored more runs so far this October and he is one hit shy of having the most of any postseason player. Despite the production coming from first base, Shane leads the team in batting average (.361), and plays an incredibly solid center field. For the Yankees, Melky Cabrera also plays a solid center field and is coming off a very productive series at the plate against the Angels. Victorino is the pick here, but us Phillies fans shouldn’t sleep on Cabrera, who is the x-factor in the potent Yankee lineup.

Right Field: Nick Swisher has been a bit of a letdown for the Yankees in the playoffs, hitting just .125 so far. That and he went to Ohio State, so we’re really hoping he makes an error so we can cross-feature him in Ohio State Hate Week, which begins in just four short days. Both Swisher and Jayson Werth have struck out eleven times, but Werth’s 10 RBI’s and 5 homers, which tie him for the postseason lead with A-Rod, more than make up for the lack of contact. Advantage Phillies.

Designated Hitter: Naturally, the Yankees have any advantage here, but this comparison is closer than past fall classics. Hideki Matsui will DH for the Yankees in games 1, 2, 6 and 7, and has hit a modest .233 this October. For the Phillies, it could be a different left-handed hitter every night. Either Ibanez, who would relinquish his spot in left field to Ben Francisco, or power-hitting Matt Stairs will DH for the Phillies and try to take advantage of the short porch in right field.

Bench Players: In a series full of great positional match-ups, this is not one of them. Neither team will get an advantage here, and barring extra inning games, we may not see much of either one in this series. If these guys do play a role, it will more than likely be in games three through five in Philadelphia, so, advantage Phillies.

Bullpens: The most impressive part of the postseason run by the Phillies has been the resurgence of their bullpen. Brad Lidge has not blown a save in three chances and one of Chad Durbin’s two wins came after shutting down the middle of the Dodgers’ lineup. For the Phillies, the biggest question mark has to be Ryan Madson, who needs to be sharp in order to get close games to Lidge. Madson has blown two saves so far, and was a factor in both of the Phils’ losses this postseason. For the Yankees, they only have the best postseason relief pitcher in the history of the game in Mariano Rivera. Rivera leads in postseason appearances with eight, and has pitched 10 2/3 innings while allowing just one run. Joba Chamberlain has also pitched well for the Yanks in early relief, but it could be the middle relief of Phil Hughes who gets tested most by this Phillies lineup. Advantage goes to the Yankees in this category.

Manager: Us Phillies fans are so proud of Charlie Manuel that were going to look right past the job that Joe Girardi did this season. Managing the egos in that clubhouse and dealing with the A-Rod steroids scandal in spring training are impressive feats. We will see how good he is when he is forced to make moves in the middle games of this series, but we expect to be fine. Charlie, well he’s the manager of the defending World Series champions, and has guided this team to three straight NL eastern division championships. What’s more, he just makes all the right moves at all the right times; see below.

A thinking man's thinker: Charlie Manuel

Advantage, Phillies.

AtS’s Not-So Scientific Breakdown: The 2009 World Series: All these things combined, a slight advantage has to go to the Phillies. Of course I’m biased, but that’s what I feel. The above accounts for a 2-2 series split.

INTANGIBLES: A look at things you may have not have figured into this series.

Stadium: If we were basing this on ambiance, Yankee Stadium would surely be our pick. But the fact of the matter is, the Phillies have won 11 of the last 12 postseason games at Citizens Bank Park. That should be a huge statistic, considering that this series will go back to Philly tied at one.

Fans: A primary reason why you have won 11 of the last 12 vs. OMGYOUHAVETOPAYATONOFMONEYTOSITCLOSETOTHEPLAYERS. Advantage, Phillies.

History/Mystique: Yankee Stadium vs. Veterans Stadium. The City That Never Sleeps vs. The City Where You Are Afraid To Sleep. 16 retired numbers and Monument Park vs. Five retired numbers and Ashburn Alley. 10,000+ losses vs. 26 World Championships. Yeah, about that; advantage, Yankees.

Celebrity Fans: Kate Hudson, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver (even though he played for the Phillies, he sucks). Advantage, Phillies in an upset.

Mascot: Do the Yankees have one?

Broadcasting: John Sterling vs. Scott Franske. Advantage, push; without Harry Kalas no one wins.

Victory Song: New York, New York vs. That’s the Way I Like It. Not even close, Yankees.

Mascot: Phillie Phanatic vs. George Stienbrenner. Phillies, again.

Due to intangibles, Phillies and Yankees should split another two games, But somehow, some way, they get to Mariano Rivera and win a game they have no business winning (probably game three or four) to win the series 4-2, Jimmy gets to wear Harry’s shoes and the city gets to do this again.

Brett Myers Likes to Party

We hope you enjoyed our look at the 2009 Fall Classic; and one more thing…

Phillies win, thhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeee Phillies, win! (In six, of course)

Here’s a lazy post. Some quick summaries of what’s been going on.

Let’s make up for lost time starting right, now:

Flyers: The orange and black bowed out of the playoffs just like last year, losing to the Penguins (only this time in the first round). Although they went six games, the Flyers looked outclassed for most of the series and actually exceeded my expectations in going more than five games. I would have liked nothing more than to have seen Crosby and Malkin lose to Philly, but after watching the Flyers just a few times this season I knew the hill would be really steep. Now, while the Pens set up with the Capitals in the second round in what will be hyped as the most incredible seven-game hockey series in the history of earth, the Flyers players are busy playing golf and the ownership is busy with the Sixers (before they have to contemplate making chances, hopefully goalie and head coach). If the Flyers were any kind of exciting, I’d probably like hockey more; watching them play is like watching paint dry.

Sixers: The Six are in a dogfight of a series with Orlando, down 3-2 as the series shifts back to the Wachovia Center tomorrow night. Dwight Howard’s blatant elbow on Sammy D’s skull last night should earn him a suspension for game six, which should piss him off enough to come back and dominate a game seven if necessary. To be honest, he should probably have been ejected last night, but remember that it is NBA officiating and that’s a job that’s right up there with the scorekeeper on the show Whose Line is it Anyway? If the Sixers do win tomorrow night, they would force a game seven in Orlando for the right to play against the winner of the ridiculously entertaining Chicago-Boston series.

NASCAR: How about that race on Sunday? Talladega was easily the most entertaining 500 miles since the good ‘ole boys went to the Car of Tomorrow, mostly due to the fact that there were three outstanding crashes. The last one, a crash that sent Carl Edwards careening into the protective catch fence after bouncing off the windshield of Ryan Newman has created quite a stir for NASCAR. If you haven’t seen it, have a look-see:

The questioning of the rules, fan safety and the strong words from the drivers involved in the accidents have created quite a stir for the only governing body who does more spinning than the federal government. It will be interesting to see how things will have changed when the series heads back to Talladega in the fall.

Penn State Football: Last Saturday was the annual blue-white spring football game at Beaver Stadium. While I did not go, I did listen to the first half on the radio. For those of you who don’t follow PSU, coach Paterno is on the air during the game, and was quite amusing for most of the day. By all accounts, starting quarterback Daryll Clark looked good, along with backup Kevin Newsome who really should be studying for high school finals. Newsome enrolled a semester early to participate in spring drills. More on Penn State in August, when I get back into football season mode.

Horse Racing: The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place this coming Saturday. Friesan Fire is our pick, although we won’t be betting; not after the Giacomo debacle of 2005. We make our money on the Preakness and the Belmont.

Eagles: The 2009 Draft has come and gone and the Birds had a good one, getting Missouri wide-receiver Jeremy Maclin, Pitt running back LeSean McCoy and trading for former Patroits cornerback Ellis Hobbs. Maclin and Hobbs should both see action on special teams, while McCoy can catch the ball out of the backfield and is great in open space. The Eagles also picked up Cornelius Ingram, a tight end from Florida in the fourth-round. Ingram, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, was tied for the team lead in TD receptions for the Gators in 2007. The Eagles will begin the season at the Carolina Panthers on September 13th.

Central Manor Softball: The 2009 season gets underway next week, as we take on our traditional opening day opponent Zion Lutheran. For more information of the team, visit our website by clicking on this link.

And finally…

Phillies: Our main blogging vice until August will be these Philles, and right now they are the hottest team in baseball. While pitching has been suspect (Cole Hamels has left his last two games early due to injuries, Brad Lidge is hurt, and they have given up more homeruns through 20 games than any defending world series champion in the history of the game), the Phillies are 11-9 and swinging red-hot bats right now (stats before Wednesday night’s game):

• Jimmy Rollins: .195, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R
• Shane Victorino: .291, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R
• Chase Utley: .357, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 12 BB
• Ryan Howard: .276, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 19 K
• Jayson Werth: .261, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 15 R, 12 BB
• Pedro Feliz: .333, 2 HR, 14 RBI

Rollins has struggled all year, but with the way the rest of the lineup is hitting things seem to be working out. Come on Jimmy, even pitcher Chan Ho Park hit a home run last weekend.

Then there’s Raul Ibanez.

In the first three weeks of the season, Ibanez has hit a walk-off home run, hit a game-winning Grand Slam and has been stellar on the basepaths and in the outfield.

• Raul Ibanez: .355, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 20 R, 5 2B, 27 H

Ibanez leads the team in hits and runs scored, is .002 behind Utley in batting average, is tied for the team lead in home runs with Utley, and is second behind Utley in RBI’s; all out of the 6-hole. He has been by all accounts the best off-season free-agent signing for any team and is greeted with massive “Rauuuuul” chants when he takes to the batters box at Citizens Bank Park. Between Jamie Moyer, Greg Dobbs and Ibanez, we could say that Seattle has been very kind to Philadelphia.

By winning their game last night, the Phillies secured their second straight winning month of April, after quite a few dreadful starts in prior seasons. The Phillies sit at 11-9 going into the season’s first series against the Mets looming this weekend.

Yesterday before their game against the Washington Nationals, the Phillies lost long-time broadcaster Harry Kalas. He was 73 years old.

Kalas was found collapsed in the broadcast booth around 12:30pm and rushed to a local hospital where doctors pronounced him dead around 1:20. Kalas is survived by his wife Eileen and sons Todd, Brad and Kane. Todd is a play-by-play man for the Tampa Bay Rays, and he did not attend last night’s home opener for the team.

Having been a Phillies fan for most of my life, Harry is a voice that I became very familiar with. My first memory of Harry was way back in the mid-90’s when he was partners with Andy Musser and Ritchie Ashburn. I remember the kid-like musings and the informal nature of their on-air conversations. It made for some great television.

I’ll remember seeing Harry in the booth at the ballpark, and pointing him out to my little sister. “That’s the voice you hear all the time on the TV,” I’d often tell her, but going to the games and not hearing the voice always made something feel wrong.

When the Phillies moved into their new ballpark in 2004 and John Kruk sat alongside Harry for the year it may have been my favorite announce team in the history of sports. Two guys who cared about the game and not much else made for some great one-liners.

I’ll remember the outta here’s, the long drive’s, the 1 ball-1 strikes, the struck him out’s and the Phillies win by the score of (insert score here).

I’ll remember in 2006 when Chase Utley scored from second on an infield chopper off the plate… “Chase Utley, you are the man!”

But what I’ll remember the most about Harry is the connection he had with people. By all accounts I’ve read online, Harry would never say an evil word about anyone; something that is all too commonly lost in today’s day in age. His co-workers loved him, the players loved him and us fans certainly loved him.

One of my fonder memories of Harry had nothing really to do with him at all. When I was in high school I played one year on the baseball team. Although I didn’t start many games on that squad, what I did do was sit in the dugout with my teammates and try to call each and every game like Harry would. My friends would laugh, the coaches would grin, and it would make the game much more interesting. That will be my lasting memory.

I was shocked to hear the news right before the game yesterday, and it didn’t hit me until 6:00 when Sportscenter played the audio from the final out of the World Series. I teared up a little, but I kept it in. It will be hard to watch the game tomorrow night when the Phillies take on the Nationals, and Harry won’t be welcoming me to National Park in Washington, D.C.

People who aren’t baseball fans won’t understand what someone like this means to the fabric of a culture. I’ve read all over the internet that Harry was the soundtrack to summers at the shore, backyard barbecues and summertime picnics. For those of you that don’t think Harry is a big deal, consider this.

The Phillies were scheduled to visit the White House and President Barack Obama today. That was postponed.

RIP Harry, you will be missed greatly not just by Philadelphians, but by baseball and the world.

"a priceless artifact that can't be purchased, only earned." - Harry Kalas

Last October we watched the Phillies become WFC. While it was great at the time it only got better every time we went to the store and saw a shirt, hat coffee mug or license plate that proclaimed the Phils as world champions.

The Phillies just received their rings at a raucous Citizens Bank Park and it might finally hit me when I watch this later tonight. It’s hard to watch the TV at work.

Admittedly, I’ll probably cry when I see Jamie Moyer throw the ring on his hand, and if that doesn’t make me, I’ll definitely lose it when I see Pat slip on the bling.

Last year the Phillies didn’t get a win until their third game, on a walk-off walk. Now would be a good time for the first repeat of the year…

2008 was a magical year for the Phillies. Much maligned throughout the season, the team went 17-8 in September to secure their second consecutive National League eastern division championship in as many years and home-field in the wild card playoffs. After handling the Brewers in four games, combined with the Dodgers sweep of the Cubs in the opposing series, the Phillies won the first two games of the NLCS at home en route to a five game series win over the Dodgers to send them to their first World Series since 1993. In the series, the well-rested Phillies split the first two games against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg before coming home to win the next three games and become, well, we’ll just let “The Man” tell us…

2009 looks to be just as promising for the bunch. Despite the loss of long-time Phillie Pat Burrell, left-field was revamped by acquiring Raul Ibanez from the Seattle Mariners. Ibanez, a free agent, signed a three-year, $31.5 million deal. Other players besides Burrell who were lost were reserve outfielder So Taguchi and former elite closer Tom Gordon. The only other addition of note is right-handed pitcher Chan Ho Park, who was expected to battle pitchers Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco for the fifth starters spot.

EXPECTED LINEUP

1. SS – Jimmy Rollins (S)
2. CF – Shane Victorino (S)
3. 2B – Chase Utley (L)
4. 1B – Ryan Howard (L)
5. LF – Raul Ibanez (L)
6. RF – Jayson Werth (R)
7. 3B – Pedro Feliz (R)
8. C – Carlos Ruiz (R)
9. Starting Pitcher

The expected batting order is one of if not the most left-handed heavy lineup in all of baseball. The first five hitters have the capability of hitting left handed, but Rollins and Victorino are switch hitters. They both recently represented the United States in the World Baseball Classic. Potential MVP Ryan Howard leads all players in spring training home runs, and he looks for his fourth consecutive 45+ home run season. Manager Charlie Manuel has the capability of moving Werth and Victorino around to break up the lefties, which we expect to see at some time this season. Pedro Feliz had a good season last year, his first with the Phillies, but his power numbers were down as he hit a few home runs below his average. Like Feliz, teammate Chase Utley will be coming back from off-season surgery. Both are expected to be starters on opening day. Carlos Ruiz hit well in the postseason last year, and like his teammates at the top of the order, represented his home country in the WBC by playing for Panama.

EXPECTED ROTATION

1. Cole Hamels (L)
2. Brett Myers (R)
3. Jamie Moyer (L)
4. Joe Blanton (R)
5. J.A. Happ (L) or Chan Ho Park (R)

Pitching appears to be extremely solid for the Phillies, as they are solid one through four. Cole Hamels was named the NLCS and World series MVP for his performance during the postseason, in which he went 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA. During the offseason, Halem re-upped with the Philies to the tune of 3 years and $20.5 million. Brett Myers went 10-13 with a 4.55 ERA last year, but was an entirely different pitcher after being sent to the minors during the summer months. Myers’ postseason contribution won’t be remembered for his arm, but his bat. He went 4-5 in the playoffs with 3 RBI and had the memorable walk against C.C. Sabathia in the NLDS to start the rally that led to Victorino’s Grand Slam in game 2. Jamie Moyer, on the heels of a 16-7 season with a 3.71 ERA, re-signed with the Phillies for two years and $16 million during the offseason. The deal will keep Moyer pitching until the month before he turns 48. Blanton, who was acquired by the Phillies via trade last August, went 4-0 in his brief season with the Phillies and also went 2-0 in the postseason, including his home run in game four of the World Series. The fifth spot is still up in the air, but it appears that Happ will be the man and Park will be in the ‘pen. (UPDATE: I was wrong, Park will be the fifth starter but my not pitch until the second week of the season. Happ will presumably be relegated to the bullpen.)

BULLPEN

• Chan-Ho Park
• Chad Durbin
• Scott Eyre
• Clay Condrey
• Jack Taschner
• J.A. Happ
• Ryan Madson
• Brad Lidge

The bullpen is highlighted by two main stories heading into 2009. One is the absence of seventh-inning man J.C. Romero. Romero was suspended for the first fifty games of the season by baseball for testing positive for a banned substance, which he claims was in a supplement that was legal at the time. The second story is Brad Lidge, who went 48-for-48 in save opportunities throughout out the regular and postseason last year. The streak for regular season games, currently at 44, is third all-time behind Eric Gagne’s 84 and Tom Gordon, who had 54. Lidge will break Gordon’s mark with 11 saves, which he could have by mid-May.

BENCH PLAYERS

• Chris Coste
• Greg Dobbs
• Eric Bruntlett
• Geoff Jenkins
• Miguel Cairo
• Matt Stairs

Even the bats off the bench are left-handed heavy, as just Coste and Cairo are the only right-handed hitters on the bunch. Being right-handed has a lot to do with Cairo’s expected spot of the 25-man roster, as he was a non-roster invitee. We included 26 players in our preview because we believe the Phillies will be making a move with either Jenkins of Stairs if not before the season begins shortly thereafter. (UPDATE: Phillies released Geoff Jenkins on 3/31.)

2009 looks to be a promising year for the squad. They will be defending the crown for the second time in franchise history and look to become the first National League team since the 1975-1976 Reds to win back-to-back titles. We have the Phillies winning 93 games this year and the division for the third straight year. For more on our 2009 baseball prospectus, check back on Monday for out team-by-team expectations.