World Series Preview

Wednesday night the first season for the new Yankee Stadium will begin its final act in style, by playing host to the 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees. It's the defending champions versus the 26 time world champions. Both cities are apart of America's megalopolis along the northeastern border and both teams are followed by extremely dedicated fan bases. There isn't much hype needed for a match-up between teams of this caliber, so let's just break down the match-up position by position.

Catcher- Jorge Posada v. Carlos Ruiz

While Ruiz has made great strides with the bat this year, from last, the edge still goes to Posada. Posada does stink on defense but within this line-up his bat is a more intricle part.

Firstbase- Mark Texiera v. Ryan Howard

Both are titanic superstars and despite being worse with the leather, I pick the RBI machine, Ryan Howard over TLex.

Secondbase- Robinson Cano v. Chase Utley

I love Cano, but this isn't up for debate, at all. Utley is the best second basemen in baseball.

Shortstop- Derek Jeter v. Jimmy Rollins

This is the most intriguing match-up, the future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter has made his name coming up big in the postseason and he hasn't disappointed thus far. On the other hand Jimmy Rollins is the catalyst atop the Phillies lineup, who does it all. I would say push in the regular season but this is the postseason, so the nod has to go to Jeter.

Thirdbase- Alex Rodriguez v. Pedro Feliz

This postseason, no debate is needed, ARod is being ARod. Feliz is nice but so was Byron Russell and we know what happened in '96.

Leftfield- Johnny Damen v. Raul Ibanez

Intriguing match-up but I have to pick Raul. Damen is nice with a bit more pop but will he be in the game come the 8th or 9th inning?

Centerfield- Melky Cabrera v. Shane Victorino

The 'flying Hawaiian' is the superior player even though Melky is no sloutch. Shane wins because in the two hole he is much more valuable than Melky to his team.

Rightfield- Nick Swisher/Hideki Matsui v. Jason Werth

Matsui DHs a lot but he's included here. This is oging to be the push in all the match-ups because Werth is an extremely solid all around player and better defensively and on the bases than anyone the Yankees have in right. But their edge with the bat creates the push.

Starters

The Yankees aren't as deep but with C.C. it's hard to pick against them, but I will, especially if Pedro Martinez can be the Pedro he was versus the Dodgers.

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera is all I have to say. The game is 8 sometimes 7 innings long with him in the pen.

The Phillies grade out higher but the Yankees don't care. I predict a 27th Yankee championship in 6 extremely entertaining games. So that's what the head says but the heart is pulling for the Phillies because I hope ARod never wins a championship.