2008 MLB Playoff Predictions: World Series

Well, here it is. The final games of the longest sports season known to man. But the cool thing is that this World Series involves two teams that are fresh blood in the World Series. Neither have been in the Fall Classic in the past 15 years and there's only one World Series championship between the two (Phillies - 1980). So needless to say, both teams want this one bad.

And while the ratings for this series may be down, it won't be because of me. I'm gonna tune in to every game, unlike last year when i boycotted the World Series because the Tribe weren't in it. It all starts tonight so without further adieu, here's the preview/prediction:

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Game 1: Cole Hamels vs. Scott Kazmir (Weds 8pm)
Game 2: Brett Myers vs. James Shields (Thurs 8pm)
Game 3: Matt Garza vs. Jamie Moyer (Sat 8pm)
Game 4: Andy Sonnanstine vs. Joe Blanton (Sun 8pm)
Game 5: Scott Kazmir vs. Cole Hamels (Mon 8pm)
Game 6: Brett Myers vs. James Shields (Weds 8pm)
Game 7: Jamie Moyer vs. Matt Garza (Thurs 8pm)

Position-By-Position Breakdown

C: Carlos Ruiz vs. Dioner Navarro - Ruiz has played admirably all year but Navarro is a bona fide all star, hitting .295 in the regular season. EDGE: RAYS

1B: Ryan Howard vs. Carlos Pena - In the postseaosn, Pena gets the edge with his .338 avg and 3 HR. But Howard is a sleeping giant waiting to wake up in the postseason. EDGE: PHILS

2B: Chase Utley vs. Akinori Iwamura - They help their team in different ways. Iwamura with speed and defense. Utley with his power and consistency. EDGE: PHILS

3B: Feliz/Dobbs vs. Evan Longoria - Feliz is batting .192 in the postseason but Dobbs is batting .545. But the rookie Longoria has smacked 6 homers and driven in 11 in his first October. EDGE: RAYS

SS: Jimmy Rollins vs. Jason Bruntlett - I like what Bruntlett brings to the Rays but Rollins, the defending NL MVP, brings much more to the table for Philly. EDGE: PHILS

LF: Pat Burrell vs. Carl Crawford - Both are batting .300 in October. Burrell's bat has been more powerful (3 HR) but Crawford's speed has been deadly (6 SB). EDGE: EVEN

CF: Shane Victorino vs. B.J. Upton - Victorino is a clutch player for the Phils and could be big in the series. But you can't ignore Upton's hot bat this postseason (7 HR, 15 RBI). EDGE: RAYS

RF: Jayson Werth vs. Gross/Baldelli - Werth has been reliable for Philly. Meanwhile, the platoon for TB has been weak so far. Expect more Baldelli than Gross. EDGE: EVEN

DH: ??? vs. Floyd/Aybar - Charlie Manuel won't say who his DH will be. Doesn't matter. While Cliff Floyd has struggled, Willy Aybar has stepped up big time. EDGE: RAYS

Bench: The Phillies employ the likes of Chris Coste, Matt Stairs and Eric Bruntlett, who have all done well in their limited action this October. The Rays have not gone to their bench as often but they have speedy Fernando Perez and utility guy Ben Zobrist riding the pine. EDGE: EVEN

Rotation: Hamels has been lights out for Philly. Myers has struggled in his 2 starts despite 2 wins. Moyer has been awful while Blanton has been a steady #4 starter in this rotation. Kazmir proved his mettle with his Game 5 start against Boston. Shields has been solid in every start. Matt Garza is pitching like the ace in his 3rd spot and Andy Sonnanstine has only allowed 9 hits in 13 IP. EDGE: RAYS

Bullpen: The Phillies bullpen is led by Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero, who have given up just one run in 11.2 innings this October. Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre have been shaky at times. Brad Lidge though has been 5 for 5 in save opportunities. The Rays bullpen has been a makeshift one. Dan Wheeler and Grant Balfour had a rough LCS but the rest of the bullpen was amazing, allowing just 2 ER in 20 inn. They do not have a true closer though, but David Price may be the guy. EDGE: PHILS
Intangibles: The Rays have more speed and know the quirks of Tropicana field. The Phils have plenty of power but the Rays have proven to stay equal in that category as well. The Phils have had more time to rest while the Rays are coming off a thrilling Game 7. Both rotations are where they want to be and injuries are not a problem for either as well. EDGE: EVEN

Manager: Charlie Manuel has a great baseball mind and now that his mind can move back to baseball from his mother's death (if possible), he will be on top of his game. And he's been around this game awhile, so he knows the postseason pressures. Joe Maddon has been nothing but steady for the Rays, saying and doing the right things for this team. He got them this far somehow. He must be doing something right. EDGE: EVEN

Breakdown: This should be an amazing series. The offenses are so explosive that they tend to score in bunches, making for something fun to watch. Plus, you are seeing some of the young guns of baseball on both teams. The offenses probably cancel each other out though. It will come down to the pitching rotations. Hamels needs to get the Phils a Game 1 win because the matchup of Garza/Moyer in Game 3 favors the Rays immensely. And having a pitcher like Garza going in Games 3 and 7 is huge. If the Phillies starting pitching can give the baseball to the bullpen with the lead, they should be okay. Same goes for the Rays but their bullpen can't give up the big hits like they did against Boston.

Prediction: Rays in 6