2009 World Series Preview

The 2009 World Series is finally here! The Philladelphia Phillies, winners of last year's World Series, are playing the New York Yankees, who have made it back here thanks to the performnaces of guys like A-Rod, C.C. Sabathia, and Mark Texiera.

The Phillies and Yankees played each other in Yankee Stadium back in May, with the Phillies taking two of three games from the Yankees. Afterwards, Phillies Shortstop Jimmy Rollins said the following:"
How great would that be? A World Series here, us against the Yankees? We've proved we can put on a pretty good show." Rollins last night made a prediction about how he thinks the World Series will go:
"If we're nice, we'll let it go six. But I'm thinking five, close it out at home."

Here is a position by position breakdown to see which team has the edge:
FIRST BASE: Ryan Howard Vs Mark Teixiera
Both Howard and Texiera have been clutch this season. Both players have stepped up when their team has needed them. Texiera hit a walkoff homerun in Game Two of the American League Division Series.
SECOND BASE: Chase Utley Vs Robinson Cano
Chase Utley is baseball's best Second baseman. Robinson Cano is a pretty good double play guy at second base.
THIRD BASE: Alex Rodriguez vs Pedro Feliz
A-Rod has been on a tear this postseason. He is the best third baseman in the game.
SHORTSTOP:Jimmy Rollins vs Derek Jeter
Although Derek Jeter may be baseball's most decorated shortstop, Jimmy Rollins is a pretty good player in his own right.
LEFT FIELD: Raul Ibanez vs Hideki Matsui/Johnny Damon
Raul Ibanez has been a real nice signing for the Phillies. Matsui and Damon have both hit well and played well in left.
CENTER FIELD: Shane Victorino Vs Melky Cabrera
Shane Victorino has done it all for the Phillies this year. He has hit homers and stolen bases, Victorino is the heart of the Phillies lineup.
RIGHT FIELD: Nick Swisher vs Jayson Werth
Jayson Werth hit two homeruns in the clinching NLCS Game Five. Swisher may be the most laid back guy in the Yankee Clubhouse.
CATCHER: Jorge Posada Vs Carlos Ruiz
Carlos Ruiz is the second best catcher in the National League, behind Yadier Molina. Jorge Posada is a veteran backstop. It's just a a shame that he and A.J. Burnett can't get on the same page.
CLOSER: Mariano Rivera vs Brad Lidge
Brad Lidge was perfect in the regular season and postseason last year. This year, Lidge led all of baseball with ten blown saves. Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in the history of baseball. He is almost unbeatable on that mound in the ninth inning.

Here is my pick for the winner of the 2009 World Series.
NEW YORK YANKEES
The Phillies are good, but the Yankees are better. The Yankees are going to win this series, but Philly will play hard. I am expecting the Yankees to win this series in six or seven games, but they will win it all.

MLB Preview: AL East

The 2008 season saw the rise of the Tampa Bay Rays, saw the Red Sox make the playoffs, and saw the Yankees say goodbye to "The House That Ruth Built" as well as miss the playoffs. The Yankees went on a Spending Spree in the offseason, luring CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixiera to the Bronx.

What is in store for 2009? Let's have a look.
NEW YORK YANKEES

the 2009 New York Yankees will open their new ballpark with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Texiera, but they will open the season without Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod had surgery and will miss perhaps a month. When he does return, it will be interesting to see how fans will react now that he has revealed that he took steroids when he was with the Texas Rangers.

This Yankees ballclub will score runs in bunches. A-Rod, Teixiera, Posada, and Brett Gardner will be expected to produce.

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi has decided to flip-flop his batting order, batting Derek Jeter leadoff and Johnny Damon second. This is to avoid Jeter from hitting into double plays, and it answers the Trivia question, "Who was the first Yankee to bat in the New Yankee Stadium?"

This Yankees ballclub looks great on paper. Nothing short of a World Series victory will satisfy these fans.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES

The baltimore Orioles have Nick Markakis, and many other questionmarks. How will Koji Uegara fare in Major League Baseball? For many years he was Japan's second best pitcher, behind Daisuke Mastuzaka. Will Adam Eaton and Rich Hill fare in their new teams? Will Felix Pie finally become consistent?
Expect the Orioles to fight with Toronto for the cellar.
TAMPA BAY RAYS

The Tampa Bay Rays were the Cinderella Story of the 2008 season. They went from Cellar Dweller to American League Champions in just one season. Stars like Evan Longoria and Scott Kazmir shined this past season. David Price starts the Rays season in the bullpen. Expect him to head back to Tampa in May. What will the Rays do for an encore? Looking back on the history of the teams who have lost the World Series, the 2006 Tigers,and the 2007 Rockies have regressed. I am also expecting the Rays to endure a "World Series Hangover." I am not expecting them to finish better than third place this season.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The Toronto Blue Jays will be stuck in another mediocre season. They will not have much behind Roy Hallday. Vernon Wells and Scott Rolen will be most of the ble Jays offense in 2009.

BOSTON RED SOX

Dustin Pedroia was the smallest man in the Red Sox clubhouse, and he ended up taking home American League MVP Honors. The Red Sox and their rotation are stacked. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Mastuzaka,and Tim Wakefield. Let's not forget about the former Dodger Brad Penny and the longtime Atlanta Brave John Smoltz who is expected to head to Boston in July.

Offensively, Dustin Pedoria and David Ortiz will crush the ball. It will be interesting to see how Jason Bay will do in his first full season in Boston.

My Division Projections
1. NEW YORK YANKEES
With the money spent on this team, they will be expected to win the division. It will be a huge dissapointment if they don't.
2. Boston Red Sox
Their rotation is Scary Good.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
Last Season's AL Champs will encounter a World Series hangover.
4. Toronto Blue Jays
Roy Halladay is the team's best player, but he needs a lot of help.
5. Baltimore Orioles
They are still two years away from competing in the AL East.

In our next MLB Preview, we will preview the AL Central. Will The White Sox repeat as division Champions? What will the Twins do in their final season in the Metrodome? How will Kerry Wood and Maek DeRosa help the Indians? Find out in the next MLB Preview.