The Yankees have World Series title No. 27 in their sights

By Chris Ruddick

If I had a nickel for every time I heard a Philadelphia Phillies fan say that they wanted to play the New York Yankees in the World Series over the last couple of weeks, I'd be a rich man.

In the back of my mind, though, I kept thinking, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.

These are not the playoff neophyte Tampa Bay Rays, who seemed to just be happy to be there a year ago. This time around the Phillies will be taking on a team that is as synonymous with October as picking pumpkins and falling leaves. These are the New York Yankees, 26-time world champions, who will be making their 40th trip to the World Series.

The Varsity if you will.

As Newsday blared across the back page of the sports section on Monday, "Back where they belong." Owner George Steinbrenner may have said it best in a statement on Monday when he declared, "We're looking forward to our 27th ring."

Where do the Phillies have an advantage? The Yankee lineup is better. Their pitching staff is better. And, I don't think you really want to compare bullpens either. All things being equal, the Yankees should roll here. But, of course that is why you play the games.

New York is full of stars, but it has been its biggest star who has carried it through this postseason. Alex Rodriguez came into the playoffs with a ton of questions regarding his ability to perform in the clutch, specifically in the playoffs. But, like Barry Bonds in 2002, A-Rod has quieted those critics with an absolutely scintillating postseason that has seen him hit .438 with five home runs and 12 RBI, while coming up with big hit after big hit for the Yankees.

Rodriguez just seems to be on a magic ride. The only thing missing from his Hall of Fame career is a World Series ring. You heard all season long how he was just a different player. The way he carried himself. The way he interacted with his teammates. Everything was just different and it seems to be true.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was five years old to play in the World Series," Rodriguez said. "In order to win the World Series, you have to get there, and we've done that now."

As good of a postseason as Ryan Howard has had, this postseason has been all about Rodriguez and that does not figure to change this series.

The Yankee lineup is relentless and there is not an easy out 1-through-9. People like to point to Nick Swisher, who has been awful through the first two rounds, but keep in mind he hit 29 home runs this season.

If A-Rod's heroics are not enough. How about CC Sabathia's domination this postseason. The Phillies like to hang their hat on their own ace, Cliff Lee, but he will be neutralized by Sabathia, who has been every bit as good as Lee has this postseason.

"Both of them are good pitchers," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "CC loves to pitch and he's very competitive, and Lee has the same kind of makeup, too. It has a chance of being a good game."

Sabathia, the ALCS MVP, has won all three of his starts in these playoffs and has pitched to a 1.19 earned run average. The Yankees, like they did in the previous series, intend to pitch Sabathia three times this series if they need to. Philly plans on doing the same with Lee, who has never pitched on short rest in his career.

Not to mention Manuel intends on pitching Pedro Martinez in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium. Did he forget who Pedro's daddy was? The Yankees have owned Martinez in the playoffs over the course of his remarkable career. He is just 1-2 with a 4.72 ERA in six postseason appearances against them, and is 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his past five.

If that is not enough, you cannot argue the advantage the Yankees have at the end of the game. While Philly throws out Brad Lidge, who has been perfect this postseason, despite blowing a major league high 11 saves during the season, the Yankees end it with the greatest postseason closer of them all in Mariano Rivera.

Like a fine wine Rivera seems to get better with age. He has three saves this postseason, but is 8-1 lifetime in the playoffs with 37 saves and an amazing 0.77 ERA in 84 games.

I have heard people say that all the Yankees have to do is show up on time to win this series. Well that may be a little exaggerated, but the bottom line is if both teams show up and perform as they should, the Yanks will win.