Now that hockey season is under way and going full tilt, I know a lot of you will probably say to yourselves, “Baseball is still going on!?” Yes my friends, in fact, getting underway tonight will be the most exciting part of the ridiculously long baseball season; the World Series. For those of you paying no attention to America’s favorite past-time, the New York Yankees aka the Bronx Bombers will be taking on the defending champs, the Philadelphia Phillies. Maybe you are in fact a baseball fan, but refuse to partake, as over the last while the great game of baseball has been tainted with the scandals of performance enhancing drugs. Nevertheless, i suggest watching at least a few games in this clash of the titans for baseball’s greatest honor of being crowned the best team in the world.
On paper this match up tells a tale of a great series, and that it will be. With the Yankees this past winter paying a combined 423.5 million dollars for the assistance of three outstanding players, it only adds to their already bolstered lineup. Starting pitchers C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett add much help on the mound, and the switch hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira adds a great glove in the infield, along with home run capability. With the likes of Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, and everybody’s favorite, A-Roid, already there, the Yankees have built a powerhouse of a team. And let’s not forget the best closer, possibly the best pitcher to step on the mound in the post season ever, Mariano Rivera. All he needs is a couple run lead and the Phils will be in trouble, as he has been lights out in his playoff career, and is continuing that trend so far.
On the other side of the spectrum is the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies. Don’t everyone count them out just yet, I mean they won it all last year and are back again for another taste of October glory. A feat that isn’t very easy in the MLB. Led by the tank, Ryan Howard, the Philles will not go down quietly without a fight to the Yanks. This all-star hitter, when hot, can carry this team. He will be looking to continue his powerful ways against the Yanks, with 11 hits and 14 RBI’s already in 9 games thus far. To help the Phillies on the mound is the mid-season aquisition of Cliff Lee; winner of the Cy Young just last year for the Indians, as well as former teammate of Sabathia with those same Indians. Another big acquisition was that of Pedro Martinez, an all-star pitcher who won the world series with th Red Sox back in 2004. His great curveball and ability to change speeds very well will help in Philly’s hope of shutting down New York’s hitters. Also to help lead the charge against the surging Yankees are Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and surprise hitter this season Jayson Werth, who hit 36 long balls this year in the regular season. Werth is also a former member of the Toronto Blue Jays. As for rebuttle to New Yorks closer in Rivera, the Phillies will answer with Brad Lidge, who had 31 saves this season and tops the radar with high nineties fastballs. Although Lidge held the MLB title for most blown save this year with 11, he is perfect so far this post season, with three saves in three opportunities and is yet to allow a run. If the World Series was to be picked just based on the two best rosters, this would be the match up chosen.
Set to kick off the festivities tonight in the Big Apple was Jay Z, along with Alicia Keys to perform their hit single ”Empire State of Mind”. Unfortunately due to forecast of bad weather the duet will be a go for game 2 on Thursday night. This is a first, hip hop being synonymous with baseball, but seeing how a lot of players live the lifestyle of a rapstar, it fits. It also helps that the Jigga Man is a die hard Yankees fan, and he says so in the song. With lyrics like “Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game, Shit I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can” and “You should know I bleed blue, but I ain’t a Crip though”, Jay Z pays homage to his city, and his team. I’m sure the Phillies won’t like this one bit. I mean who are they gonna throw out onto the field to rep Philly in game three? The Fresh Prince? Now that would be entertainment for the whole family.
As you can tell from my profile picture, I am a Red Sox fan, so I will be rooting for the Phillies to take down the Empire that resides in New York. I am looking forward to a long, hard fought series with every game being close. I’m taking the Phillies in six games, because it would just be against my nature to actually say the words ” I think the Yankees will win”. If that happens it will be a sad day for Zimms.
The post World Series appeared first on HotstickyBun.
